# DockerMCP Server Availability Limitations DockerMCP provides containerized access to many MCP servers through a unified gateway, but **not all MCP servers are currently available** in the Docker catalog. This limitation has significant implications for workflow design and development patterns. ## The Core Trade-off DockerMCP solves a critical problem: **dependency isolation**. Running MCP servers in containers eliminates "works on my machine" issues and prevents conflicting Python/Node dependencies from breaking your development environment. But this convenience comes with a constraint: **only pre-packaged servers are available**. If the MCP server you need isn't in the DockerMCP catalog, you face a choice: 1. **Install it directly on your host machine** (losing isolation benefits) 2. **Wait for it to be added** to the DockerMCP catalog 3. **Build your own Docker wrapper** for the server 4. **Use alternative tools** that achieve similar goals ## What This Means in Practice ### Discovery Limitations When you search for MCP servers using `mcp_find`, you're **only seeing what's in the Docker catalog**. The broader MCP ecosystem may have servers that solve your problem but aren't containerized yet. **Example scenario:** - You need a custom database integration MCP server - DockerMCP doesn't have it - The server exists on GitHub but requires manual installation - You must choose between isolation (Docker) and functionality (direct install) ### Development Friction Limited server availability creates friction in two ways: **1. Workaround development:** If a specialized server isn't available, you need to: - Find alternative MCP servers with overlapping functionality - Combine multiple servers to achieve the same goal - Write custom scripts that bypass MCP entirely **2. Installation complexity:** Installing non-containerized MCP servers requires: - Understanding the server's specific dependencies - Managing version conflicts with other installed tools - Maintaining manual updates (no automatic Docker pulls) ### Planning Implications When designing AI-powered workflows, **check server availability first**: ```bash # Search DockerMCP catalog mcp_find query="database" # If not found, check MCP community registry # (requires manual research) ``` **Build your architecture around available tools**, not ideal tools. The server you want might exist but not be accessible through DockerMCP. ## When Missing Servers Matter Most ### High-Impact Scenarios **1. Specialized domain integrations** - Industry-specific APIs (healthcare, finance, logistics) - Proprietary internal tools - Niche databases or platforms **2. Cutting-edge features** - Newly released MCP servers (packaging lag) - Experimental servers in beta - Community-contributed servers awaiting review **3. Custom enterprise tools** - Internal company APIs - Private infrastructure integrations - Security-restricted services ### Lower-Impact Scenarios **Common functionality is well-covered:** - Web scraping (Brave search, Fetch) - File operations (Obsidian, standard file tools) - Code execution (Docker sandbox, Bash) - Version control (Git) - Cloud platforms (major providers) For **general-purpose workflows**, DockerMCP's catalog is comprehensive. The gaps appear in specialized use cases. ## Mitigation Strategies ### 1. Hybrid Approach Use DockerMCP for most servers, direct installation for critical missing tools: ```bash # DockerMCP handles 90% of your needs mcp_add server="brave-search" mcp_add server="obsidian" # Direct install for specialized tool npm install -g specialized-mcp-server ``` **Trade-off:** Lose some isolation, gain functionality. ### 2. Build Custom Wrappers Package the missing server yourself: ```dockerfile FROM node:20-slim WORKDIR /app RUN npm install specialized-mcp-server CMD ["npx", "specialized-mcp-server"] ``` **Trade-off:** Requires Docker knowledge, but preserves isolation. ### 3. Use Alternative Tools Sometimes MCP isn't required: - **Direct API calls** via Bash/curl - **Python scripts** in ephemeral containers - **Manual workflows** for infrequent tasks **Trade-off:** Less integrated, but avoids dependency issues. ### 4. Request Additions Contribute to the DockerMCP project: - Open GitHub issues requesting servers - Submit pull requests with Docker configurations - Share use cases to prioritize additions **Trade-off:** Long-term solution, not immediate fix. ## The Bigger Picture ### Why This Matters for AI Workflows MCP servers are **function calls for AI agents**. Limited server availability is like having a programming language with a small standard library—you can still build things, but you'll write more code yourself. **The impact scales with specialization:** - **General tasks:** DockerMCP is excellent - **Domain-specific tasks:** Gaps become frustrating - **Enterprise integration:** May require custom solutions ### The Evolution Path As DockerMCP matures, expect: 1. **Catalog expansion** (community contributions) 2. **Better discovery** (indexing external MCP servers) 3. **Easier packaging** (automated Docker wrapper generation) 4. **Federation** (connecting multiple MCP registries) ## Practical Recommendations ### Before Starting a Project **1. Audit server requirements:** List all MCP servers your workflow needs, then check availability: ```bash mcp_find query="obsidian" # ✅ Available mcp_find query="notion" # ❌ Maybe not available ``` **2. Design around constraints:** If critical servers are missing, plan alternatives early—don't discover blockers mid-project. **3. Document workarounds:** When you bypass DockerMCP, document why and how. Future you (or your team) will need context. ### During Development **Stay flexible:** - Prioritize servers that ARE available - Use direct API calls when MCP isn't an option - Keep Docker and host installs separate (avoid mixing in production) **Contribute back:** - Share useful server configurations - Report missing servers that would benefit others - Help expand the ecosystem ## Conclusion DockerMCP's limited server catalog is a **pragmatic limitation**, not a fundamental flaw. The project prioritizes **stability and isolation** over exhaustive coverage. For most users, the available servers handle 80-90% of needs. The remaining 10-20% requires creative solutions—hybrid installs, custom wrappers, or alternative tools. **The key insight:** Design workflows around **available tools first**, then fill gaps with targeted solutions. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. As the MCP ecosystem matures, server availability will improve. Until then, understand the constraints and plan accordingly.