# podman-mcp-server

Connect an AI agent to Podman and Docker containers. Ask it to inspect a container, list running ones, or read logs.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 85
- Author: manusa
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/manusa/podman-mcp-server
- Updated: 2026-08-21
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/podman-mcp-server

## What it does

This MCP server gives an agent access to Podman and Docker. Its available tools include viewing a container’s details by name or ID, listing running containers, and retrieving logs. Use it to check container state or look for errors through an agent.

The server chooses a backend automatically. When a Podman socket is available, it uses the REST API; otherwise, it falls back to a CLI wrapper. You can select a backend with `--podman-impl`. The API backend requires a Podman socket. The CLI backend invokes `podman` or `docker`, so the selected executable must be available.

STDIO is the default transport. The `--port` option enables HTTP with `/mcp` and `/sse` endpoints; SSE-only mode is deprecated. Running the server through `npx` requires npm.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add podman-mcp-server -- npx -y podman-mcp-server
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add podman-mcp-server -- npx -y podman-mcp-server
```

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "podman-mcp-server": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "podman-mcp-server"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "podman-mcp-server": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "podman-mcp-server"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add podman-mcp-server npx -y podman-mcp-server
```

## When to use it
- inspect a container by name or ID
- list running Podman and Docker containers
- retrieve logs from a selected container
- check what configuration a container exposes

## Example prompts
- Inspect the Podman container named `web`.
- List the running Docker containers.
- Read the logs for container `api` and find error messages.

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---
NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md