Content
# 🚀 Docker MCP Tutorial - Build AI Tools with Docker
[](https://youtube.com/@NetworkChuck)
[](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/)
[](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/)
Learn how to build and deploy MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers using Docker! This repository contains everything from the NetworkChuck Docker MCP video tutorial, including complete examples, templates, and step-by-step guides.
## 🎥 Watch the Tutorial
[**Watch the full video tutorial on YouTube →**](https://youtube.com/@NetworkChuck)
## ⚡ Quick Start (5 Minutes)
Get your first MCP server running in under 5 minutes:
```bash
# 1. Install Docker Desktop (if not already installed)
# Visit: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/
# 2. Enable Docker MCP Toolkit
# Settings → Beta Features → Enable "Docker MCP Toolkit"
# 3. Clone this repository
git clone https://github.com/networkchuck/docker-mcp-tutorial.git
cd docker-mcp-tutorial
# 4. Build the dice roller example
cd examples/dice-roller
docker build -t dice-mcp-server .
# 5. Follow the Quick Start Guide
# See: quick-start/setup-guide.md
```
## 📚 What's Included
### 🎲 **Complete Working Example**
- **Dice Roller** - Fun D&D dice rolling MCP server with all files ready to run
### 🛠️ **MCP Builder Prompt**
NetworkChuck's custom prompt that generates complete MCP servers from simple descriptions. Just describe what you want, and it creates everything!
### 📖 **Comprehensive Documentation**
- Step-by-step installation guides (Mac, Windows, Linux)
- How to build custom MCP servers
- Docker MCP Gateway deep dive
- Troubleshooting common issues
### 🔗 **All Resources & Links**
Every tool, link, and resource mentioned in the video, organized and ready to use.
## 🗂️ Repository Structure
```
docker-mcp-tutorial/
├── examples/ # Complete working MCP server
│ └── dice-roller/ # D&D dice rolling server
├── mcp-builder-prompt/ # AI prompt to generate MCP servers
├── quick-start/ # Get running in 5 minutes
├── docs/ # Detailed documentation
│ ├── installation.md # Platform-specific setup
│ ├── custom-servers.md # Build your own servers
│ ├── docker-gateway.md # Gateway architecture
│ └── troubleshooting.md # Common issues & fixes
└── resources/ # Links and additional resources
```
## 🎯 What You'll Learn
1. **MCP Fundamentals** - Understand the Model Context Protocol
2. **Docker Integration** - Run MCP servers in containers
3. **Build Custom Servers** - Create your own AI tools
4. **API Integration** - Connect to external services
5. **Security & Secrets** - Manage API keys safely
6. **Remote Access** - Expose servers over network
7. **n8n Integration** - Automation workflows with MCP
## 🚦 Prerequisites
- **Docker Desktop** installed and running
- **Claude Desktop** or another MCP-compatible client
- Basic command line knowledge
- Coffee ☕ (highly recommended)
## 📋 Installation Overview
### 1. Install Docker Desktop
- [Download Docker Desktop](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/)
- Enable MCP Toolkit in Beta Features
### 2. Configure MCP Client
- Set up Claude Desktop, Cursor, or LM Studio
- Configure MCP gateway connection
### 3. Build & Deploy
- Build Docker containers for MCP servers
- Register servers in catalog
- Start using with your AI!
*Detailed platform-specific instructions in [docs/installation.md](docs/installation.md)*
## 🔨 Building Your First MCP Server
### Using the MCP Builder Prompt
1. Open the prompt template: `mcp-builder-prompt/mcp-builder-prompt.md`
2. Describe your desired functionality
3. Feed to Claude or your preferred AI
4. Get complete, working MCP server code!
### Example: Weather MCP Server
```
"I want to build a weather MCP server that can:
- Get current weather for any city
- Get 5-day forecast
- Convert between Celsius and Fahrenheit
Use the OpenWeather API"
```
The AI will generate all files needed: Dockerfile, Python server, configuration, and installation instructions!
## 🎮 Example Server Included
### 🎲 Dice Roller
Perfect for D&D and tabletop gaming:
- Roll any dice notation (2d6+3, 1d20, etc.)
- D&D stat generation
- Advantage/disadvantage rolls
- Skill checks against DC
**Note:** The video also demonstrates building Toggl Timer and Kali Linux MCP servers. Use the MCP Builder Prompt to create these or any other server you can imagine!
## 🔧 Docker MCP Gateway
The Docker MCP Gateway is the magic that makes this all work:
- **Centralized Management** - One connection, multiple servers
- **Secret Management** - Secure API key storage
- **Transport Options** - Local (stdio) or Network (SSE)
- **Dynamic Containers** - Servers run on-demand
Learn more in [docs/docker-gateway.md](docs/docker-gateway.md)
## 🌐 Remote Access & n8n Integration
Run your MCP servers over the network:
```bash
# Start gateway with network transport
docker mcp gateway run --transport sse
# Access from n8n or remote clients
http://YOUR_IP:8811
```
Perfect for automation workflows and remote AI operations!
## 🐛 Troubleshooting
### Common Issues
**Tools not appearing in Claude?**
- Restart Claude Desktop
- Check catalog and registry files
- Verify Docker image built successfully
**Authentication errors?**
- Verify secrets: `docker mcp secret list`
- Check environment variable names
**Container not running?**
- Check logs: `docker logs [container-name]`
- Verify Dockerfile syntax
*Full troubleshooting guide in [docs/troubleshooting.md](docs/troubleshooting.md)*
## 📚 Resources & Links
### Official Documentation
- [Docker Desktop](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/)
- [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/)
- [Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download)
### APIs Used in Examples
- [Toggl API Documentation](https://developers.toggl.com/docs/)
- [Obsidian Local REST API](https://github.com/coddingtonbear/obsidian-local-rest-api)
### Related NetworkChuck Content
- [n8n Automation Tutorial](https://youtube.com/@NetworkChuck)
- [Docker Basics Series](https://youtube.com/@NetworkChuck)
## 🤝 Contributing
Found a bug? Have an improvement? Contributions are welcome!
1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch
3. Commit your changes
4. Push to the branch
5. Open a Pull Request
## 📄 License
MIT License - See [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details
## 🙏 Acknowledgments
- **Docker** for sponsoring and creating the MCP Toolkit
- **Anthropic** for the Model Context Protocol
- The amazing **NetworkChuck community**
## ☕ Support
If this helped you, consider:
- ⭐ Starring this repository
- 🔔 Subscribing to [NetworkChuck on YouTube](https://youtube.com/@NetworkChuck)
- ☕ Buying NetworkChuck a coffee
---
**Remember:** The world of AI tools is evolving rapidly. This is your chance to be part of the revolution. Don't waste it!
*"Hack YouTube ethically, of course."* - NetworkChuck
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