Is Docker MCP Catalog worth it?
Worth it if you maintain an MCP server with a permissive licence. The listing puts the server inside Docker Desktop, where developers can add it in a few clicks, and the page links to your GitHub repo or docs without nofollow. It is not a place for a general SaaS or app: only MCP servers are accepted, and the pull request needs Go tooling and passing CI. Fill in a clear title, description and icon in server.yaml, since that is the listing copy.
Who should submit to Docker MCP Catalog?
Suits developers and companies that ship an MCP server, either as a container with a Dockerfile in a public repo or as a hosted remote endpoint. Docker users who run MCP servers through Docker Desktop are the readers. Not a fit for products that are not MCP servers, for GPL licensed code (the guide says GPL is not acceptable), or for anyone who wants a quick web form.
What you need before you submit
- An MCP server (containerised with a Dockerfile in a public repo, or a remote HTTP endpoint)
- A licence that lets people use it; the guide names MIT and Apache 2 as fine and GPL as not
- A GitHub account to fork the repo and open a pull request
- Go 1.24+, Docker Desktop and Task for the local server route
- A documentation link for remote servers
How to submit to Docker MCP Catalog
- Fork github.com/docker/mcp-registry and clone it
- Run task wizard (local server) or task remote-wizard (remote server) to generate server.yaml
- Test the entry in Docker Desktop with task catalog and docker mcp catalog import
- Open a pull request with a clear title and description and make CI pass
- Share test credentials through the form linked in the guide, if needed
- After approval and merge, the entry appears in the catalogue within about 24 hours
Docker MCP Catalog: pros and cons
Pros
- Free
- Listed inside Docker Desktop, where users can enable the server directly
- Outbound links to the repo or docs carry no nofollow (rel noopener noreferrer)
- Docker can build and sign the image for you, with SBOMs and provenance
- Remote servers do not need a Dockerfile
Cons
- Only MCP servers are accepted
- GPL code is ruled out by the guide
- Needs a developer setup (Go, Docker Desktop, Task) for local servers
- No published review time
- Listing links to GitHub or docs, not a marketing homepage
Tips for Docker MCP Catalog
- Write your own title and description in server.yaml rather than leaving the defaults
- Use a square hosted icon so the card looks complete
- Test the entry locally in Docker Desktop before opening the PR to avoid a CI round trip
- For a hosted server, use the remote-wizard route and point the docs link at a page on your own domain
Questions about Docker MCP Catalog
How much does it cost to list a tool on Docker MCP Catalog?
Does Docker MCP Catalog give a dofollow link?
Does Docker MCP Catalog ask for a backlink or a badge?
How long does Docker MCP Catalog take to list a tool?
Is the Docker MCP Catalog link dofollow?
How much does it cost?
How long does approval take?
Can I list a product that is not an MCP server?
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