Docker Developer Tools

Skills

Container Debugging Debug running containers with log analysis, shell access, state inspection, and network diagnostics.

Triggers

A container is crashing, restarting, or stuck in a crash loop
Application logs need analysis to find errors
You need to inspect container state, environment, or mounts
Network connectivity between containers is broken
A container is being OOMKilled or running out of resources
Files need to be copied into or out of a running container

container-debugging

Docker Advanced Workflows Multi-stage pipelines, sidecar patterns, healthchecks, init containers, signal handling, and graceful shutdown.

Triggers

Designing multi-stage build pipelines for production images
Implementing sidecar containers alongside a primary service
Configuring healthchecks for containers or compose services
Setting up init containers or entrypoint scripts
Handling process signals and graceful shutdown in containers
Copying files between containers and the host during development
Monitoring container resource usage in real time
Updating container resource limits without restarting

docker-advanced-workflows

Docker CI/CD Use Docker in CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions, multi-platform builds, registry push, and layer caching strategies.

Triggers

Setting up Docker builds in GitHub Actions or GitLab CI
Building multi-platform images (amd64, arm64)
Pushing images to Docker Hub, GHCR, ECR, or other registries
Optimizing CI build times with layer caching
Defining a tagging strategy for releases
Setting up Docker-in-Docker for CI environments
Automating image scanning in the build pipeline

docker-ci-cd

Docker Compose Helper Write, debug, and optimize docker-compose.yml files with service definitions, networking, volumes, and healthchecks.

Triggers

Writing a new `docker-compose.yml` or `compose.yml` from scratch
Adding services, volumes, or networks to an existing compose file
Debugging service startup order or dependency issues
Configuring healthchecks and depends_on conditions
Managing environment variables and `.env` files in compose
Setting up multi-environment compose configurations with profiles

docker-compose-helper

Docker Context Management Manage Docker contexts for multi-host and remote Docker engine workflows

Triggers

Asks about connecting to a remote Docker host
Wants to manage multiple Docker environments
Needs to set up SSH or TLS-based Docker access
Asks about switching between Docker contexts
Mentions "docker context", "remote Docker", or "multi-host"

docker-context-management

Docker Development Environment Set up development environments with Docker including hot reload, dev containers, bind mounts, and database containers.

Triggers

Setting up a local development stack with Docker
Configuring hot reload / live code reload in containers
Creating dev vs production Dockerfiles or multi-stage builds
Running database containers (Postgres, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB) for development
Setting up VS Code or Cursor devcontainers
Managing environment variables across dev and prod
Debugging applications running inside containers
Creating docker-compose files for full-stack development

docker-development-env

Docker Content Trust and Image Signing Docker Content Trust - image signing, verification, key management, and CI/CD signing pipelines

Triggers

Asks about Docker Content Trust or image signing
Wants to sign, verify, or revoke trust for Docker images
Needs to manage signing keys (generate, load, rotate)
Mentions "DCT", "notary", "image verification", or "content trust"
Asks about enforcing signed images in production

docker-image-signing

Docker Multi-Platform Builds Multi-architecture builds, buildx builder configuration, manifest lists, platform targeting, and cross-compilation patterns.

Triggers

Building Docker images for multiple CPU architectures (amd64, arm64, armv7, s390x)
Configuring buildx builders for multi-platform output
Creating or managing manifest lists for multi-arch image distribution
Setting up CI/CD pipelines that produce multi-platform images
Troubleshooting cross-compilation or platform-specific build failures
Optimizing build cache for multi-platform workflows

docker-multi-platform

Docker Networking Configure container networking with bridge, host, and overlay drivers, port mapping, DNS resolution, and inter-container communication.

Triggers

Creating custom Docker networks for multi-container apps
Configuring port mapping between host and container
Troubleshooting DNS resolution between containers
Choosing between bridge, host, overlay, or macvlan drivers
Setting up network aliases for service discovery
Isolating containers on separate networks for security
Debugging connectivity failures between containers

docker-networking

Docker Registry Work with container registries including Docker Hub, GHCR, ECR, and ACR for pushing, pulling, and tag management.

Triggers

Pushing or pulling images to/from Docker Hub, GHCR, ECR, ACR, or GCR
Setting up authentication for private registries
Choosing a tagging strategy (semver, SHA, branch-based)
Configuring credential helpers for automated workflows
Working with image digests and content-addressable references
Building and pushing multi-architecture manifests
Setting up a private or self-hosted registry
Migrating images between registries

docker-registry

Docker Resource Management Configure resource limits and monitoring with CPU and memory constraints, cgroups, container stats, and OOM kill prevention.

Triggers

Setting memory or CPU limits on containers
Diagnosing OOM (out of memory) kills
Monitoring container resource usage with `docker stats`
Configuring resource constraints in Docker Compose
Understanding cgroup v1 vs v2 behavior
Setting up Prometheus or cAdvisor for container monitoring
Tuning swap and memory reservation settings
Preventing a single container from starving others

docker-resource-management

Docker Security Harden container security with rootless mode, read-only filesystems, capability management, secret handling, and image scanning.

Triggers

Hardening containers for production deployment
Running containers as non-root users
Scanning images for vulnerabilities (CVEs)
Managing secrets without baking them into images
Configuring capability restrictions and security profiles
Setting up read-only root filesystems
Auditing existing container security posture
Implementing network segmentation between services

docker-security

Docker Swarm Orchestration Docker Swarm mode orchestration - cluster management, service deployment, scaling, node administration, and rolling updates

Triggers

Asks about Docker Swarm mode or cluster orchestration
Wants to initialize, join, or manage a Swarm cluster
Needs to create, update, scale, or rollback Swarm services
Asks about node management, promotion, demotion, or draining
Mentions "swarm init", "service create", "node ls", or "rolling update"

docker-swarm

Docker Troubleshooting Diagnose and fix common Docker problems including port conflicts, permission errors, disk space, networking issues, and build failures.

Triggers

A container fails to start or exits immediately
Port binding errors occur (address already in use)
Permission denied errors on the Docker socket or inside containers
Docker runs out of disk space
Image pulls fail with auth or network errors
DNS resolution fails inside containers
Build context is unexpectedly large or builds fail
Docker Compose services fail dependency checks
The Docker daemon won't start or is unresponsive
Containers can't communicate across networks

docker-troubleshooting

Docker Volumes Manage data persistence with named volumes, bind mounts, tmpfs mounts, volume drivers, and backup strategies.

Triggers

Persisting data across container restarts or recreations
Choosing between named volumes, bind mounts, and tmpfs
Backing up or restoring volume data
Debugging permission issues with mounted directories
Sharing data between multiple containers
Extracting files from containers with `docker cp`
Managing volume lifecycle (create, inspect, prune)

docker-volumes

Dockerfile Best Practices Write and optimize Dockerfiles with multi-stage builds, layer caching, image size reduction, and security hardening.

Triggers

Writing a new Dockerfile from scratch
Reviewing or optimizing an existing Dockerfile
Reducing image size or build time
Hardening a container image for production
Fixing layer caching issues that slow CI/CD builds

dockerfile-best-practices

Image Optimization Reduce Docker image size with base image selection, layer consolidation, multi-stage patterns, and distroless builds.

Triggers

A Docker image is too large for fast pulls or deployments
CI/CD pipelines are slow due to image size
Comparing base image options (Alpine vs slim vs distroless vs scratch)
Analyzing image layers to find bloat
Applying multi-stage build patterns to strip build-time dependencies
Using BuildKit features for more efficient builds

image-optimization

Rules

Name	Scope	Description
Buildx Best Practices		Flag multi-platform build issues, missing cache configuration, and architecture-specific antipatterns in Dockerfiles and Compose files.
Compose Scaling		Flag Docker Compose configurations that prevent or complicate service scaling
Compose Validation		Flag common docker-compose issues including missing healthchecks, privileged mode, host networking, and port conflicts.
Docker Image Pinning		Flag unpinned image tags in Dockerfiles and compose files. Suggest specific version tags or SHA digests for reproducible builds.
Docker Logging		Flag missing or misconfigured logging drivers and log rotation settings in Docker and Compose files.
Docker Port Conflicts		Flag commonly conflicting port mappings in Docker configurations and suggest checking for conflicts before binding.
Docker Resource Limits		Flag missing memory and CPU limits in Docker configurations to prevent unbounded resource usage.
Docker Secrets		Flag hardcoded passwords, tokens, and registry credentials in Docker configurations. Suggest environment variables or Docker secrets.
Dockerfile Lint		Flag common Dockerfile antipatterns including unpinned base images, running as root, missing cleanup, and ADD misuse.
Swarm Security		Flag Docker Swarm security issues - missing autolock, unrotated certificates, unencrypted overlays, exposed ports, and missing resource limits

MCP Tools

150

Buildx 8

Name	Description
docker_builderPrune	Remove Docker buildx build cache
docker_buildxBuild	Build images with buildx for multi-platform support
docker_buildxCreate	Create a new buildx builder instance
docker_buildxImagetools	Inspect or create multi-platform manifest lists
docker_buildxInspect	Inspect a buildx builder instance
docker_buildxLs	List buildx builder instances
docker_buildxRm	Remove a buildx builder instance
docker_buildxUse	Set the default buildx builder

Container Management 24

Name	Description
docker_containerLogs	Fetch recent logs from a container
docker_containerPrune	Remove all stopped containers
docker_cp	Copy files between a container and the local filesystem
docker_create	Create a new container without starting it
docker_diff	Inspect filesystem changes in a container
docker_events	Stream real-time events from the Docker daemon
docker_exec	Execute a command in a running container
docker_export	Export a container's filesystem as a tar archive
docker_inspectContainer	Get detailed information about a container
docker_kill	Send a signal to a running container
docker_listContainers	List Docker containers with status, ports, and resource info
docker_pause	Pause all processes in a running container
docker_port	List port mappings for a container
docker_rename	Rename a Docker container
docker_restart	Restart a container with an optional grace period
docker_rm	Remove a container
docker_run	Create and start a container from an image
docker_start	Start a stopped container
docker_stats	Show live resource usage statistics for containers
docker_stop	Stop a running container
docker_top	Show running processes in a container
docker_unpause	Unpause a paused container
docker_update	Update resource configuration of a running container
docker_wait	Block until a container stops and return its exit code

Content Trust 4

Name	Description
docker_trustInspect	Inspect Docker Content Trust data for an image
docker_trustKey	Manage Content Trust signing keys
docker_trustRevoke	Revoke Content Trust for an image
docker_trustSign	Sign an image for Content Trust

Context 6

Name	Description
docker_contextCreate	Create a Docker context for remote hosts
docker_contextInspect	Display detailed info on a Docker context
docker_contextLs	List available Docker contexts
docker_contextRm	Remove Docker contexts
docker_contextShow	Print the current Docker context name
docker_contextUse	Set the active Docker context

Docker Compose 26

Name	Description
docker_composeBuild	Build or rebuild Compose service images
docker_composeConfig	Validate and render a Compose file
docker_composeCp	Copy files between a Compose service and the local filesystem
docker_composeCreate	Create Compose service containers without starting them
docker_composeDown	Stop and remove Compose containers and networks
docker_composeEvents	Receive real-time events from Compose containers
docker_composeExec	Execute a command in a running Compose service container
docker_composeImages	List images used by Compose services
docker_composeKill	Force stop Compose service containers
docker_composeLogs	View logs for Compose services
docker_composeLs	List running Compose projects
docker_composePause	Pause Compose services
docker_composePort	Print the public port for a Compose service
docker_composePs	List containers for a Compose project
docker_composePull	Pull images for Compose services
docker_composeRestart	Restart Compose services
docker_composeRm	Remove stopped Compose service containers
docker_composeRun	Run a one-off command on a Compose service
docker_composeScale	Scale Compose services to a specified replica count
docker_composeStart	Start existing Compose service containers
docker_composeStop	Stop Compose services without removing containers
docker_composeTop	Display running processes in Compose containers
docker_composeUnpause	Unpause Compose services
docker_composeUp	Create and start Compose services
docker_composeVersion	Show Docker Compose version information
docker_composeWatch	Watch build context and auto-rebuild on file changes

Docker Scout 3

Name	Description
docker_scoutCves	List CVEs found in an image using Docker Scout
docker_scoutQuickview	Quick overview of image vulnerabilities
docker_scoutRecommendations	Get base image update recommendations

Image Management 13

Name	Description
docker_commit	Create a new image from a container's changes
docker_build	Build a Docker image from a Dockerfile
docker_imageHistory	Show the layer history of a Docker image
docker_imagePrune	Remove unused Docker images
docker_import	Import a tarball to create a Docker filesystem image
docker_inspectImage	Get detailed image metadata including layers and labels
docker_listImages	List local Docker images with tags and sizes
docker_load	Load images from a tar archive
docker_pull	Pull an image from a registry
docker_push	Push an image to a registry
docker_rmi	Remove one or more images
docker_save	Save images to a tar archive
docker_tag	Create a tag for a source image

Manifest 5

Name	Description
docker_manifestAnnotate	Add platform info to a manifest list entry
docker_manifestCreate	Create a local manifest list for multi-arch images
docker_manifestInspect	Display an image manifest or manifest list
docker_manifestPush	Push a manifest list to a registry
docker_manifestRm	Remove local manifest lists

Network 7

Name	Description
docker_listNetworks	List Docker networks
docker_networkConnect	Connect a container to a network
docker_networkCreate	Create a Docker network
docker_networkDisconnect	Disconnect a container from a network
docker_networkInspect	Display detailed information about a network
docker_networkPrune	Remove all unused Docker networks
docker_networkRm	Remove one or more Docker networks

Plugins 4

Name	Description
docker_pluginEnable	Enable a disabled Docker plugin
docker_pluginInstall	Install a Docker plugin from a registry
docker_pluginLs	List installed Docker plugins
docker_pluginRm	Remove Docker plugins

Registry 3

Name	Description
docker_login	Authenticate to a container registry
docker_logout	Log out from a container registry
docker_searchHub	Search Docker Hub for images

Swarm Cluster 8

Name	Description
docker_swarmCa	Display and rotate the Swarm root CA certificate
docker_swarmInit	Initialize a new Swarm cluster
docker_swarmJoin	Join an existing Swarm
docker_swarmJoinToken	Display or rotate join tokens
docker_swarmLeave	Leave the Swarm
docker_swarmUnlock	Unlock a locked Swarm manager
docker_swarmUnlockKey	Display or rotate the Swarm unlock key
docker_swarmUpdate	Update Swarm configuration

Swarm Config & Secrets 8

Name	Description
docker_configCreate	Create a Swarm config
docker_configInspect	Display detailed info on a Swarm config
docker_configLs	List Swarm configs
docker_configRm	Remove Swarm configs
docker_secretCreate	Create a Swarm secret
docker_secretInspect	Display info on a Swarm secret (metadata only)
docker_secretLs	List Swarm secrets
docker_secretRm	Remove Swarm secrets

Swarm Nodes 7

Name	Description
docker_nodeDemote	Demote Swarm manager nodes to worker
docker_nodeInspect	Display detailed info on a Swarm node
docker_nodeLs	List nodes in the Swarm
docker_nodePromote	Promote Swarm workers to manager
docker_nodePs	List tasks running on a Swarm node
docker_nodeRm	Remove nodes from the Swarm
docker_nodeUpdate	Update metadata on a Swarm node

Swarm Services 9

Name	Description
docker_serviceCreate	Create a new Swarm service
docker_serviceInspect	Display detailed info on a Swarm service
docker_serviceLogs	Fetch logs from a Swarm service
docker_serviceLs	List Swarm services
docker_servicePs	List tasks of a Swarm service
docker_serviceRm	Remove Swarm services
docker_serviceRollback	Revert a Swarm service to previous config
docker_serviceScale	Scale Swarm services
docker_serviceUpdate	Update a Swarm service

Swarm Stacks 6

Name	Description
docker_stackConfig	Output merged config for a Swarm stack
docker_stackDeploy	Deploy or update a stack from a compose file
docker_stackLs	List Swarm stacks
docker_stackPs	List tasks in a Swarm stack
docker_stackRm	Remove Swarm stacks
docker_stackServices	List services in a Swarm stack

System 4

Name	Description
docker_diskUsage	Get Docker disk usage breakdown
docker_systemInfo	Get Docker system information
docker_systemPrune	Remove unused containers, networks, and images
docker_version	Show Docker version information

Volume 5

Name	Description
docker_listVolumes	List Docker volumes with driver info
docker_volumeCreate	Create a named Docker volume
docker_volumeInspect	Display detailed information about a volume
docker_volumePrune	Remove all unused Docker volumes
docker_volumeRm	Remove one or more Docker volumes

Installation

Option A: npm (recommended)
npm install -g @tmhs/docker-mcp
Option B: from source
git clone https://github.com/TMHSDigital/Docker-Developer-Tools.git
cd Docker-Developer-Tools/mcp-server && npm install && npm run build
Add to Cursor MCP config (.cursor/mcp.json):
{"mcpServers":{"docker":{"command":"npx","args":["-y","@tmhs/docker-mcp"]}}}
Prerequisite: Docker must be installed and running on your machine. Node.js 20+ required.
Open any project in Cursor and the 17 skills, 10 rules, and 150 MCP tools are available immediately.

Changelog

v1.3.4 2026-04-25

v1.3.3 2026-04-25

View full changelog on GitHub →

Docker Developer Tools

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