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Add MCP Toolkit get started
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‎content/manuals/ai/mcp-catalog-and-toolkit/_index.md‎

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description: Learn about Docker's MCP catalog on Docker Hub
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keywords: Docker, ai, mcp servers, ai agents, extension, docker desktop, llm, docker hub
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grid:
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- title: Get started
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description: Learn how to quickly install and use the MCP Toolkit to set up servers and clients.
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icon: explore
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link: /ai/mcp-catalog-and-toolkit/get-started/
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- title: MCP Catalog
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description: Learn about the benefits of the MCP Catalog, how you can use it, and how you can contribute
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icon: hub
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{{< summary-bar feature_name="Docker MCP Catalog and Toolkit" >}}
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Docker MCP Catalog and Toolkit is a solution for securely building, sharing, and
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running MCP tools.
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[Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/introduction) (MCP) is
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an open protocol that standardizes how applications provide context and
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additional functionality to large language models. MCP functions as a
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client-server protocol, where the client, for example an application such as [Gordon](/manuals/ai/gordon/_index.md) or Claude Desktop, sends requests, and the server processes those requests to deliver the necessary context to the AI.
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It simplifies the developer experience across these areas:
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Docker MCP Catalog and Toolkit is a solution for securely building, sharing, and
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running MCP tools. It simplifies the developer experience across the following areas:
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- Discovery: A central catalog with verified, versioned tools.
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- Credential management: OAuth-based and secure by default.
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## MCP servers
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MCP servers are systems that use the [Model Context Protocol](https://www.anthropic.com/news/model-context-protocol) (MCP) to help manage
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MCP servers are systems that use the [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/introduction) (MCP) to help manage
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and run AI or machine learning models more efficiently. MCP allows different
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parts of a system, like the model, data, and runtime environment, to
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communicate in a standardized way. You can see them as

‎content/manuals/ai/mcp-catalog-and-toolkit/get-started.md‎

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---
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title: Get started with Docker MCP Toolkit
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linkTitle: Get started with MCP Toolkit
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description: Learn how to quickly install and use the MCP Toolkit to set up servers and clients.
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keywords: Docker MCP Toolkit, MCP server, MCP client, AI agents
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weight: 09
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---
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{{< summary-bar feature_name="Docker MCP Toolkit" >}}
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Docker Model Context Protocol (MCP) Toolkit makes it easy to set up, manage, and run containerized MCP servers, and connect them to AI agents. It provides secure defaults, one-click setup, and support for a growing ecosystem of LLM-based clients. This page shows you how to get started quickly with the Docker MCP Toolkit.
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## Requirements
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Before you begin, make sure you meet the following requirements to get started with Docker MCP Toolkit.
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### Download and install Docker Desktop
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- Install [Docker Desktop v4.42.0](/manuals/desktop/release-notes.md#4420) or higher.
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- To try the MCP Toolkit Learning center walkthrough, you must install [Docker Desktop 4.46.0](/manuals/desktop/release-notes.md#4460) or higher.
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### Enable Docker MCP Toolkit
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1. Open the Docker Desktop settings and select **Beta features**.
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2. Select **Enable Docker MCP Toolkit**.
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3. Select **Apply**.
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There are multiple ways to get started with Docker MCP Toolkit. You can:
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- Try the [Learning center](#learning-center) walkthrough in Docker Desktop , available in [Docker Desktop 4.46.0](/manuals/desktop/release-notes.md#4460) and higher.
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- Alternatively, follow the step-by-step instructions on this page to use Docker Desktop or the CLI to [Install an MCP server](#install-an-mcp-server), [Add a client, and test your setup](#install-an-mcp-client-and-test-your-setup) with example prompts.
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## Learning center
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The **Learning center** in Docker Desktop provides walkthroughs and resources to help you get started with Docker products and features.
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On the **MCP Toolkit** page, Docker Desktop shows the **Get started** walkthrough that guides you through installing an MCP server, connecting a client, and testing your setup.
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## Install an MCP server
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{{< tabs group="release" >}}
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{{< tab name="From Docker Desktop">}}
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1. In Docker Desktop, select **MCP Toolkit** and select the **Catalog** tab.
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2. Search for **GitHub Official** server from the catalog and select the plus icon (+) to add it.
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3. In the **GitHub Official** server page, select the **Configuration** tab and select **OAuth**.
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>[!NOTE]
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>
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> The type of configuration required depends on the server you select. For the GitHub Official server, you must authenticate using OAuth.
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Your browser opens the GitHub authorization page. Follow the on-screen instructions to [authenticate via OAuth](/manuals/ai/mcp-catalog-and-toolkit/toolkit.md#authenticate-via-oauth).
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4. Return to Docker Desktop when the authentication process is complete.
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{{< /tab >}}
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{{< tab name="From the Docker CLI">}}
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1. In a terminal window, run:
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```bash
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docker mcp server enable github-official
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```
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This adds the GitHub Official MCP server.
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2. Now, authenticate the server by running the following command:
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```bash
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docker mcp oauth authorize github
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```
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>[!NOTE]
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>
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> The type of configuration required depends on the server you select. For the GitHub Official server, you must authenticate using OAuth.
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Your browser opens the GitHub authorization page. Follow the on-screen instructions to [authenticate via OAuth](/manuals/ai/mcp-catalog-and-toolkit/toolkit.md#authenticate-via-oauth).
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{{< /tab >}}
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{{< /tabs >}}
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You’ve now successfully added an MCP server. Next, install an MCP client and test your setup. with an example prompt.
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## Install an MCP client and test your setup
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After you've installed MCP servers, you can add clients to the MCP Toolkit. These clients can interact with the installed MCP servers, turning the MCP Toolkit into a gateway. In the following section, let’s add the Claude Desktop client.
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{{< tabs group="release" >}}
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{{< tab name="From Docker Desktop">}}
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1. In Docker Desktop, select **MCP Toolkit** and select the **Clients** tab.
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2. Find **Claude Desktop** and select **Connect**.
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If Claude Desktop isn't installed, select **Download** to install it, then select **Connect**.
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3. Restart Claude Desktop if it's running, and it can now access all the servers in the MCP Toolkit.
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4. Open Claude Desktop and run a test by submitting the following prompt using the Sonnet Opus 4.1 model:
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```text
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Take a screenshot of the header element on docs.docker.com
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```
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Claude prompts you for permissions and shares a screenshot of the header element from the Docker documentation page.
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![Screenshot showing the header of Docker docs.](./images/claude-desktop-example.png)
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{{< /tab >}}
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{{< tab name="From the Docker CLI">}}
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1. In a terminal window, run the following commands to connect the Claude Desktop client:
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```bash
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docker mcp client connect claude-desktop --global
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```
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2. Restart Claude Desktop if it's running, and it can now access all the servers in the MCP Toolkit.
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3. Open Claude Desktop and run a test by submitting the following prompt using the Sonnet Opus 4.1 model:
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```text
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Take a screenshot of the header element on docs.docker.com
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```
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Claude prompts you for permissions and shares a screenshot of the header element from the Docker documentation page.
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![Screenshot showing the header of Docker docs.](./images/claude-desktop-example.png)
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{{< /tab >}}
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{{< /tabs >}}
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## Related pages
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- [MCP Toolkit](/manuals/ai/mcp-catalog-and-toolkit/toolkit.md)
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- [MCP Catalog](/manuals/ai/mcp-catalog-and-toolkit/catalog.md)
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- [Open-source MCP Gateway](/manuals/ai/mcp-gateway/_index.md)

‎content/manuals/ai/mcp-catalog-and-toolkit/images/claude-desktop-example.png‎

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‎content/manuals/ai/mcp-catalog-and-toolkit/toolkit.md‎

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{{< /tab >}}
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>[!NOTE]
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>
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> The Docker MCP Toolkit was originally released as an extension. This extension is now deprecated and should be uninstalled.
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## Security
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The Docker MCP Toolkit combines passive and active measures to reduce attack
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- Interception of tool requests: Requests to and from tools that contain sensitive
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## Enable Docker MCP Toolkit
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1. Open the Docker Desktop settings and select **Beta features**.
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2. Select **Enable Docker MCP Toolkit**.
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3. Select **Apply**.
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>[!NOTE]
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> This feature started as the MCP Toolkit _extension_. This extension is now deprecated
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>and should be uninstalled.
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## Install an MCP server
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To install an MCP server:
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1. In Docker Desktop, select **MCP Toolkit** and select the **Catalog** tab.
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When you select a server you can see the following
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information:
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- Tool name and description
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- Partner/publisher
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- The list of callable tools the server provides.
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2. Find the MCP server of your choice and select the **Plus** icon.
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3. Optional: Some servers require extra configuration. To configure them, select
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the **Config** tab and follow the instructions available on the repository of the provider of the MCP server.
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> [!TIP]
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> By default, the Gordon [client](#install-an-mcp-client) is enabled,
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> which means Gordon can automatically interact with your MCP servers.
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To learn more about the MCP server catalog, see [Catalog](catalog.md).
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### Example: Use the **GitHub Official** MCP server
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Imagine you want to enable Ask Gordon to interact with your GitHub account:
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Imagine you want to enable [Ask Gordon](/manuals/ai/gordon/_index.md) to interact with your GitHub account:
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the **GitHub Official** server and add it.
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Make sure to allow Gordon to interact with GitHub by selecting **Always allow** in Gordon's answer.
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## Install an MCP client
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When you have installed MCP servers, you can add clients to the MCP Toolkit. These clients
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can interact with the installed MCP servers, turning the MCP Toolkit into a gateway.
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1. Find the client of your choice and select **Connect**.
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> [!TIP]
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> which means Gordon can automatically interact with your MCP servers.
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Your client can now interact with the MCP Toolkit.
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### Example: Use Claude Desktop as a client
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is successful, you are automatically redirected to Docker Desktop.
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1. Install the **GitHub Official** MCP server, see [Install an MCP server](#install-an-mcp-server).
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1. Install the **GitHub Official** MCP server, see [Install an MCP server](/manuals/ai/mcp-catalog-and-toolkit/get-started.md#install-an-mcp-server).
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The MCP Toolkit now has access to your GitHub account. To revoke access, select **Revoke** in the **OAuth** tab.
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See an example in [Use the **GitHub Official** MCP server](#example-use-the-github-official-mcp-server).

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