ToolHive is a CLI utility designed to simplify the deployment and management of MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers, targeting developers and teams seeking enhanced security and ease of use. It addresses the complexities of setting up MCP servers by providing a standardized, containerized approach, reducing the attack surface and eliminating the need for manual dependency management.

How It Works

ToolHive leverages Docker or Podman to run MCP servers in isolated containers, ensuring consistency and security. It acts as an SSE proxy, forwarding client requests to these containers via standard input/output (stdio) or Server-Sent Events (SSE). This architecture minimizes container permissions and prevents direct host access, while also supporting secure secret management through integrations with encrypted stores or 1Password.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Install: Download binary, Homebrew (brew install thv), or build from source.
• Prerequisites: macOS or Linux, Docker or Podman. Supported clients (VS Code v1.99.0+, Cursor, Roo Code) for auto-discovery.
• Quickstart: thv config auto-discovery true, thv run fetch, thv list.
• Docs: API Documentation

Highlighted Details

• Securely manages secrets via encrypted storage or 1Password integration.
• Supports running MCP servers directly from package managers using uvx://, npx://, and go:// schemes.
• Offers customizable container permissions via JSON profiles.
• Provides a curated registry of verified MCP servers for easy discovery and deployment.
• Supports deployment in Kubernetes via an Operator (under active development).

Maintenance & Community

• Active development with contributions welcomed.
• Community Discord server for developers: #toolhive-developers.

Licensing & Compatibility

• Licensed under Apache 2.0.
• Compatible with commercial use and closed-source linking.

Limitations & Caveats

Some clients like Continue and Claude Desktop are not yet supported due to SSE protocol limitations. The Kubernetes Operator functionality is still under active development and not recommended for production use cases.