Docker MCP vs Kubernetes MCP Server
A side-by-side look at the Docker MCP and Kubernetes MCP Server MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Docker MCP for cloud platforms work as a local process; choose Kubernetes MCP Server for cloud platforms. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Docker MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Cloud Platforms domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
DOCKER_HOST, DOCKER_PORT, DOCKER_PROTOCOL, DOCKER_SOCKET_PATH, DOCKER_CERT_PATH, DOCKER_TLS_VERIFY.
Choose Kubernetes MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Cloud Platforms domain.
- Its auth model fits you: other.
- You want tools like
configuration_contexts_list, targets_list, configuration_view.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cloud Platforms | Cloud Platforms |
| Quality signal | 40/100 · Fair | 61/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Not confirmed yet |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | — |
| Auth | Not declared | other |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | DOCKER_HOSTDOCKER_PORTDOCKER_PROTOCOLDOCKER_SOCKET_PATHDOCKER_CERT_PATHDOCKER_TLS_VERIFY | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 2 | 2,176 |
| Directory activity | 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | Not listed | 76 |
| Full listing | View Docker MCP | View Kubernetes MCP Server |
Tools & capabilities
Docker MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Kubernetes MCP Server tools 76
configuration_contexts_listList all available context names and associated server urls from the kubeconfig filetargets_listList all available targetsconfiguration_viewGet the current Kubernetes configuration content as a kubeconfig YAMLevents_listList Kubernetes events (warnings, errors, state changes) for debugging and troubleshooting in the current cluster from all namespaces. Use limit and continue to retrieve a large list one page at a time.namespaces_listList all the Kubernetes namespaces in the current cluster. Use limit and continue to retrieve a large list one page at a time.projects_listList all the OpenShift projects in the current cluster. Use limit and continue to retrieve a large list one page at a time.nodes_logGet logs from a Kubernetes node (kubelet, kube-proxy, or other system logs). This accesses node logs through the Kubernetes API proxy to the kubeletnodes_stats_summaryGet detailed resource usage statistics from a Kubernetes node via the kubelet's Summary API. Provides comprehensive metrics including CPU, memory, filesystem, and network usage at the node, pod, and container levels. On systems with cgroup v2 and kernel 4.20+, also includes PSI (Pressure Stall Info…nodes_topList the resource consumption (CPU and memory) as recorded by the Kubernetes Metrics Server for the specified Kubernetes Nodes or all nodes in the cluster. Use limit and continue to retrieve a large list one page at a time.pods_listList all the Kubernetes pods in the current cluster from all namespaces. Use limit and continue to retrieve a large list one page at a time.pods_list_in_namespaceList all the Kubernetes pods in the specified namespace in the current cluster. Use limit and continue to retrieve a large list one page at a time.pods_getGet a Kubernetes Pod in the current or provided namespace with the provided name- +64 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Docker MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"docker-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@alisaitteke/docker-mcp"
],
"env": {
"DOCKER_HOST": "YOUR_DOCKER_HOST_HERE",
"DOCKER_PORT": "YOUR_DOCKER_PORT_HERE",
"DOCKER_PROTOCOL": "YOUR_DOCKER_PROTOCOL_HERE",
"DOCKER_SOCKET_PATH": "YOUR_DOCKER_SOCKET_PATH_HERE",
"DOCKER_CERT_PATH": "YOUR_DOCKER_CERT_PATH_HERE",
"DOCKER_TLS_VERIFY": "YOUR_DOCKER_TLS_VERIFY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Kubernetes MCP Server
No confirmed install command for Kubernetes MCP Server yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.
Frequently asked questions
Docker MCP is categorized under Cloud Platforms and uses a local stdio subprocess. Kubernetes MCP Server belongs to Cloud Platforms and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Pick Docker MCP for cloud platforms work and Kubernetes MCP Server for cloud platforms.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client. Kubernetes MCP Server has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.
Docker MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Kubernetes MCP Server is listed as free. Auth: other. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add docker-mcp and kubernetes-mcp-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Docker MCP has a quality signal of 40/100 (Fair) with 3 views, 0 installs and 2 GitHub stars. Kubernetes MCP Server has 61/100 (Good) with 5 views, 0 installs and 2,176 GitHub stars.