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ToolHive

Apache-2.0 MCP server runner + gateway — each server in its own container

AI Agents / MCP · Apache-2.0 · 2.3k

Reviewed 2026-10-09 · last push 2026-10-19 · repo checked 2026-10-19

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What's Good

Apache-2.0 (stacklok/toolhive), v0.51.4. Desktop app, `thv` CLI, and Kubernetes operator share one model: a curated registry, per-server containers, secret handling, and client auto-config. The operator adds declarative policy, IdP integration, and OpenTelemetry traces. Self-hostable registry and gateway for teams that cannot send MCP traffic through a SaaS. ★~2.3k.

The Catch

Every MCP server runs in its own container, so you need Docker or Podman even on a laptop. Identity and access policies only apply once you connect an OIDC/OAuth provider — out of the box it is isolation, not authorization. Stacklok sells an enterprise tier on top. Vs metamcp (aggregator/proxy that merges servers into one endpoint) and contextforge (gateway/federation): ToolHive’s lane is per-server container isolation plus a registry.

Verdict

Apache-2.0 container-isolated MCP runner when you want every server sandboxed and auditable — bring Docker/Podman and an IdP for real policy.

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