@@ -37,17 +37,43 @@ import ThemedImage from '@theme/ThemedImage';
3737
3838# What is ToolHive?
3939
40- ToolHive simplifies the deployment and management of Model Context Protocol
41- (MCP) servers. It ensures ease of use, consistency, and security by running
42- containers in a locked-down environment with minimal permissions.
40+ ToolHive is an enterprise-grade open source (Apache 2.0) platform for running
41+ and managing Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers.
4342
4443Follow the [ getting started guide] ( ./tutorials/quickstart-ui.mdx ) to install
45- ToolHive and run your first MCP server.
44+ ToolHive locally and run your first MCP server.
4645
4746To learn more about the Model Context Protocol, see our
4847[ MCP primer] ( ./concepts/mcp-primer.mdx ) .
4948
50- ToolHive is available in three modes to suit different use cases:
49+ ## ToolHive components
50+
51+ ToolHive includes everything you need to use MCP servers in production. It's
52+ made up of four key components: the Runtime, Registry Server, Gateway, and
53+ Portal.
54+
55+ <ThemedImage
56+ alt = ' ToolHive platform architecture overview'
57+ sources = { {
58+ light: useBaseUrl (' /img/toolhive/toolhive-platform-light.svg' ),
59+ dark: useBaseUrl (' /img/toolhive/toolhive-platform-dark.svg' ),
60+ }}
61+ title = ' ToolHive platform architecture overview'
62+ width = { ' 800px' }
63+ style = { {
64+ paddingBottom: ' 1rem' ,
65+ }}
66+ />
67+
68+ ### Runtime
69+
70+ The ToolHive Runtime is the core component that runs MCP servers in isolated
71+ containers. It provides a secure and scalable environment for deploying MCP
72+ servers, with features like fine-grained permissions, network access controls,
73+ and secret management.
74+
75+ The ToolHive Runtime is available in three different editions to suit different
76+ use cases:
5177
5278- [ ** ToolHive UI** ] ( ./guides-ui/index.mdx ) : A desktop application for individual
5379 developers to run and manage MCP servers locally. It provides a user-friendly
@@ -56,13 +82,51 @@ ToolHive is available in three modes to suit different use cases:
5682- [ ** ToolHive CLI** ] ( ./guides-cli/index.mdx ) : A command line interface to deploy
5783 and manage MCP servers on your local machine or in development environments.
5884 It allows quick deployment of MCP servers and supports advanced features like
59- custom permissions and telemetry .
85+ telemetry and fine-grained authorization policies .
6086
6187- [ ** ToolHive Kubernetes Operator** ] ( ./guides-k8s/index.mdx ) : A Kubernetes
6288 operator for teams and enterprises to run and manage MCP servers in multi-user
6389 environments. It provides centralized management, security controls, and
6490 integration with existing infrastructure.
6591
92+ ### Registry Server
93+
94+ The [ ** ToolHive Registry Server** ] ( ./guides-registry/index.mdx ) is an
95+ implementation of the official
96+ [ MCP Registry API] ( https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/registry/blob/main/docs/reference/api/generic-registry-api.md ) .
97+ Curate a catalog of trusted servers from multiple backend sources for users to
98+ quickly discover and deploy. It can be deployed standalone or as part of the
99+ ToolHive Operator.
100+
101+ ### Gateway
102+
103+ Implemented in the ToolHive Kubernetes Operator as the
104+ [ ** Virtual MCP Server (vMCP)** ] ( ./guides-vmcp/index.mdx ) , the ToolHive Gateway
105+ is a secure proxy for MCP server connectivity, aggregation, and orchestration.
106+ It's available as part of the ToolHive Operator for Kubernetes deployments.
107+
108+ ### Portal
109+
110+ The ToolHive Portal is how users discover and install MCP servers. It's
111+ available as a cross-platform desktop app (the ToolHive UI) and an experimental
112+ [ web-based frontend] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive-cloud-ui ) to the
113+ ToolHive Registry Server.
114+
115+ ### Better together
116+
117+ ToolHive components work together to provide a seamless experience for both
118+ admins and users:
119+
120+ 1 . ** Admins** curate and organize MCP servers in the ** Registry** , configuring
121+ access and policies.
122+ 2 . ** Users** discover and request MCP servers from the ** Portal** , and ToolHive
123+ orchestrates installation and access.
124+ 3 . ** Runtime** securely deploys and manages MCP servers across local and cloud
125+ environments, integrating seamlessly with existing SDLC workflows, exporting
126+ analytics, and enforcing fine-grained access control.
127+ 4 . ** Gateway** handles all inbound traffic, secures context and credentials,
128+ optimizes tool selection, and applies organizational policies.
129+
66130## Why ToolHive?
67131
68132We want to help you get real value from MCP servers. While there are plenty of
@@ -80,50 +144,45 @@ containerize the MCP server and let you use a simple CLI or Kubernetes to manage
80144MCP deployments at any scale. Coordinate all your MCP servers from one place
81145with sensible security controls and container-native simplicity.
82146
83- ## Architecture overview
147+ ## Key features
84148
85- ToolHive exposes an HTTP proxy to forward requests to MCP servers running in
86- containers. The proxy communicates with MCP servers via standard input/output
87- (stdio), server-sent events (SSE), or Streamable HTTP. The ToolHive CLI
88- interacts with Docker or Podman via the Docker socket API, letting it manage
89- containers and their configurations.
149+ ToolHive includes a range of capabilities to help you run and manage MCP servers
150+ effectively:
90151
91- <ThemedImage
92- alt = ' ToolHive architecture overview'
93- sources = { {
94- light: useBaseUrl (' /img/toolhive/toolhive-diagram-light.svg' ),
95- dark: useBaseUrl (' /img/toolhive/toolhive-diagram-dark.svg' ),
96- }}
97- title = ' ToolHive architecture overview'
98- />
99- <br />
152+ ** Runtime:**
100153
101- ## Key features
154+ - Run local MCP servers instantly from the built-in registry of vetted MCP
155+ servers, any Docker container, or directly from package managers
156+ - Deploy MCP servers in the cloud via Kubernetes for enterprise scalability
157+ - Proxy remote MCP servers securely for unified management
158+ - Apply fine-grained permissions and network access filtering
159+ - Protect sensitive data with built-in secrets management and enterprise OAuth
160+ integrations
161+ - Leverage OpenTelemetry and Prometheus for observability and audit logging
102162
103- ToolHive includes a range of features to help you run and manage MCP servers
104- effectively:
163+ ** Registry Server:**
105164
106- - ** Streamlined deployment** : Deploy MCP servers instantly using Docker
107- containers or directly from package managers via protocol schemes (` uvx:// ` ,
108- ` npx:// ` , ` go:// ` ). Access a curated registry of verified MCP servers that you
109- can discover and run effortlessly.
165+ - Curate a catalog of trusted MCP servers from multiple sources: the official
166+ MCP Registry, other public registries, and custom files
167+ - Group servers based on role or use case
168+ - Manage your registry with an API-driven interface
169+ - Preset configurations and permissions for a frictionless user experience
110170
111- - ** Seamless integration** : Configure popular development tools automatically,
112- including GitHub Copilot and Cursor, to streamline your workflow with minimal
113- setup.
171+ ** Gateway:**
114172
115- - ** Comprehensive security ** : Run MCP servers in isolated containers with
116- customizable, fine-grained permissions and network access filtering using JSON
117- profiles. Securely manage secrets and configurations using built-in encrypted
118- storage or 1Password integration, eliminating plaintext secrets in
119- configuration files.
173+ - Orchestrate multiple tools with a deterministic workflow engine
174+ - Centralize control of security policy, authentication, authorization,
175+ auditing, etc.
176+ - Customize and filter tools and descriptions to improve performance and reduce
177+ token usage
120178
121- - ** Enterprise readiness** : Implement robust OAuth-based authorization controls
122- for enterprise environments that integrate seamlessly with existing
123- infrastructure.
179+ ** Portal:**
124180
125- - ** Kubernetes deployment** : Deploy and manage MCP servers in Kubernetes
126- clusters using the ToolHive operator.
181+ - Cross-platform [ desktop app] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive-studio ) and
182+ browser-based [ cloud UI] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive-cloud-ui )
183+ - Make it easy for end users to discover and deploy MCP servers
184+ - Install MCP servers with a single click
185+ - Connect with local clients like Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, and many more
127186
128187## Additional resources
129188
@@ -132,9 +191,15 @@ with other ToolHive users, ask questions, and share your experiences.
132191
133192Source code and issue tracking:
134193
135- - ToolHive UI
136- - [ GitHub repository] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive-studio )
137- - [ Issue tracker] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive-studio/issues )
138194- ToolHive CLI & K8s Operator
139195 - [ GitHub repository] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive )
140196 - [ Issue tracker] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive/issues )
197+ - ToolHive UI
198+ - [ GitHub repository] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive-studio )
199+ - [ Issue tracker] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive-studio/issues )
200+ - ToolHive Registry Server
201+ - [ GitHub repository] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive-registry-server )
202+ - [ Issue tracker] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive-registry-server/issues )
203+ - ToolHive Cloud UI (experimental)
204+ - [ GitHub repository] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive-cloud-ui )
205+ - [ Issue tracker] ( https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive-cloud-ui/issues )
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