# Toolhive CLI User > Guide for using ToolHive CLI (thv) to run and manage MCP servers, skills, and AI-client plugins. Use when managing `thv ai-plugin` installs, project sync or upgrades, or plugin publishing for Claude Code or Codex; also use for MCP server and skill lifecycle commands. Covers server lifecycle, registries, secrets, client registration, builds, permissions, skills, and AI plugins. NOT for Kubernetes operator usage, ToolHive development/contributing, or general AI-client configuration unrelated to ToolHive. - Skill: `stacklok/toolhive-cli-user` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add stacklok/toolhive-cli-user` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/stacklok/toolhive-cli-user/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: DevOps & Infra - License: Apache-2.0 - Author: stacklok (https://skillmd.com/u/stacklok) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/stacklok/toolhive-cli-user --- # ToolHive CLI User Guide ## Prerequisites - **Container Runtime**: Docker, Podman, Colima, or Rancher Desktop (with dockerd/moby) - **ToolHive CLI**: Install with `brew install stacklok/tap/thv` (macOS/Linux) or `winget install stacklok.thv` (Windows) Verify: `thv version` ## Quick Start ```bash thv run filesystem # Run server from registry thv list # List running servers thv status filesystem # Detailed server info thv logs filesystem # View logs thv stop filesystem # Stop server thv rm filesystem # Remove server ``` ## Running MCP Servers Five input methods: registry name, container image, protocol scheme (`uvx://`, `npx://`, `go://`), exported config (`--from-config`), or remote URL. ```bash thv run filesystem # Registry thv run ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:latest -- # Container image thv run uvx://mcp-server-git # Python (uvx) thv run npx://@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem # Node.js (npx) thv run go://github.com/example/mcp-server # Go thv run --from-config ./config.json # Exported config thv run https://api.example.com/mcp --name my-remote # Remote URL ``` For all flags, authentication options, and telemetry configuration, see [COMMANDS.md](references/COMMANDS.md#thv-run). For detailed usage patterns, see [EXAMPLES.md](references/EXAMPLES.md). ## Managing Servers ```bash thv list # Running servers thv list --all # Include stopped thv list --format json # JSON output thv list --format mcpservers # MCP client config format thv list --group production # Filter by group thv status filesystem # Detailed server info (URL, port, transport, uptime) thv status filesystem --format json thv stop filesystem github # Stop specific servers thv stop --all # Stop all thv start filesystem # Resume stopped server thv start --all # Start all stopped servers thv start --group development # Start all in group thv restart filesystem # Alias for start (backward compat) thv rm filesystem github # Remove servers thv rm --all # Remove all thv logs filesystem # Container logs thv logs filesystem --follow # Real-time thv logs filesystem --proxy # Proxy logs thv logs prune # Clean orphaned logs ``` Note: Remote servers trigger fresh OAuth authentication on start. ## Registry Operations ```bash thv registry list # List all servers thv registry list --format json # JSON output thv search github # Search by keyword thv registry info github # Detailed server info ``` Custom registry: ```bash thv config set-registry https://my-registry.example.com # Remote thv config set-registry /path/to/local/registry # Local thv config get-registry # View current thv config unset-registry # Reset to default ``` ## Group Management All servers are assigned to `default` group unless specified. ```bash thv group create development # Create group thv group list # List groups thv run fetch --group development # Assign server to group thv group run kubernetes # Run all servers from registry group thv group rm development # Remove group (servers move to default) thv group rm development --with-workloads # Remove group AND its servers ``` Each server belongs to one group. To run same server in multiple groups, create uniquely named instances. ## Secrets Management Setup is required before use: `thv secret setup` (interactive provider selection). **Providers:** Encrypted (AES-256-GCM, password in OS keyring) or 1Password (read-only, requires `OP_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_TOKEN`). ```bash thv secret set MY_API_KEY # Interactive input echo "value" | thv secret set MY_KEY # Piped input thv secret list # List all thv secret get MY_API_KEY # Retrieve thv secret delete MY_API_KEY # Remove ``` Using secrets with servers: ```bash thv run github --secret GITHUB_TOKEN,target=GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN thv run server --secret KEY1,target=ENV1 --secret KEY2,target=ENV2 ``` ## Client Configuration ```bash thv client status # Check all supported clients thv client setup # Interactive setup thv client register claude-code --group development # Register with group thv client list-registered # List registered thv client remove # Remove client ``` ## Permissions and Network Isolation **Permission profiles** control what a container can access (filesystem, network): ```bash thv run myserver --permission-profile network # Network access only thv run myserver --permission-profile none # No extra permissions thv run myserver --permission-profile ./custom.json # Custom profile (JSON) ``` Registry servers include a default profile. Without registry info, default is `network`. **Network isolation** restricts outbound traffic to an allowlist via an egress proxy: ```bash thv run myserver --isolate-network # Block all outbound except allowlisted hosts ``` **Volume mounts** for filesystem access: ```bash thv run filesystem -v /home/user/projects:/workspace:ro # Read-only mount ``` **.thvignore** hides sensitive files from volume mounts using gitignore-style patterns. Place `.thvignore` in mounted directories or globally at `~/.config/toolhive/thvignore`. Disable global patterns with `--ignore-globally=false`. For detailed examples, see [EXAMPLES.md](references/EXAMPLES.md#permissions-and-network-isolation). ## Building, Export, and Tool Overrides ```bash thv build uvx://mcp-server-git # Build container thv build --tag my-registry/server:v1.0 npx://package # Custom tag thv build --dry-run --output Dockerfile.mcp uvx://mcp-server-git # Dockerfile only thv export my-server ./config.json # Export JSON thv export my-server ./server.yaml --format k8s # Export Kubernetes YAML thv run --from-config ./config.json # Import config ``` For tool overrides, see [EXAMPLES.md](references/EXAMPLES.md#tool-filtering-and-overrides). ## Skills Management Requires `thv serve` to be running. Skills have two scopes: `user` (global, default) and `project` (local to a project root). ```bash thv skill install my-skill # Install from registry thv skill install ghcr.io/org/skill:v1.0 # Install by OCI reference thv skill install my-skill --clients claude-code # Target specific client(s) thv skill install my-skill --scope project --project-root . # Project-scoped thv skill install my-skill --group development # Add to group thv skill install my-skill --force # Overwrite existing thv skill list # List all installed thv skill ls --scope user --format json # Filter and format thv skill ls --client claude-code --group dev # Filter by client/group thv skill info my-skill # Show details thv skill info my-skill --format json # JSON output thv skill uninstall my-skill # Remove skill thv skill uninstall my-skill --scope project --project-root . thv skill validate ./my-skill-dir # Check skill definition thv skill build ./my-skill-dir # Build OCI artifact thv skill build ./my-skill-dir --tag ghcr.io/org/skill:v1.0 thv skill push ghcr.io/org/skill:v1.0 # Push to registry ``` For all flags and detailed examples, see [COMMANDS.md](references/COMMANDS.md#skill-commands) and [EXAMPLES.md](references/EXAMPLES.md#skills-management-examples). ## AI Plugin Management Use `thv ai-plugin` for manifest-based bundles for AI clients, not ToolHive itself. Plugins may contain commands, agents, skills, hooks, and declared MCP/LSP entries; they are distinct from standalone ToolHive skills and MCP workloads. Plugin-declared MCP/LSP entries are not ToolHive-managed workloads. These commands use the ToolHive API; start `thv serve` first. The supported plugin clients are `claude-code` and `codex`; target either, or `all` available clients, with `--clients`. Install an exact registry name, OCI reference, or `git://host/org/repo[@ref][#subdir]` source, then use `list`/`info` to inspect what ToolHive installed. Verification and lock-file trust are project-only: user-scoped installs do not use lock-file verification. ```bash thv ai-plugin install example-plugin --clients claude-code thv ai-plugin install ghcr.io/example-org/example-plugin:v1.0 --scope project --project-root . thv ai-plugin install git://github.com/example-org/example-plugin@v1.0#plugin --scope project --project-root . thv ai-plugin list --scope project --project-root . thv ai-plugin sync --check --project-root . thv ai-plugin upgrade --preview --project-root . ``` ToolHive extracts, registers, and enables Claude Code plugins. For Codex, ToolHive only materializes the ToolHive marketplace; complete activation yourself: ```bash codex plugin install example-plugin@toolhive ``` ToolHive does not edit Codex `config.toml` or invoke Codex. Installed-component metadata only describes the extracted/materialized tree; it does not prove client activation. A client can leave unsupported components in that tree without loading them. For command details, trust boundaries, and publishing, see [COMMANDS.md](references/COMMANDS.md#ai-plugin-commands) and [EXAMPLES.md](references/EXAMPLES.md#ai-plugin-management-examples). ## Debugging ```bash thv inspector filesystem # MCP Inspector UI thv mcp list tools --server filesystem thv mcp list resources --server filesystem thv mcp list prompts --server filesystem thv mcp call read_file --server filesystem --args '{"path":"/etc/hosts"}' # Invoke a tool thv runtime check # Verify container runtime ``` For tool invocation patterns (file args, stdin, JSON output, error handling), see [EXAMPLES.md](references/EXAMPLES.md#invoke-a-tool). ## Guardrails - NEVER use `docker rm` or `podman rm` on ToolHive-managed containers -- always use `thv rm` for proper cleanup. - NEVER pass secrets as `-e SECRET=value` -- use `--secret` with managed secrets instead. - Confirm destructive operations (`thv rm --all`, `thv stop --all`, `thv group rm --with-workloads`) with the user before running. - Skill commands require `thv serve` to be running. If a skill command fails with a connection error, suggest starting `thv serve` first. - AI plugin commands also require `thv serve`. Treat plugin content as AI-followed instructions: inspect the source and use project-scoped installs only in the intended project. - For an externally key-pair-signed OCI plugin, give `--public-key` only on its first project install; ToolHive pins the key in `toolhive.lock.yaml` for sync and upgrade. Do not replace that pin without explicit review. - Never add `--allow-unsigned`, `--allow-signer-change`, `--allow-ref-change`, `--force`, `--prune`, or `--yes` silently. Unsigned consent is explicit and does not bypass invalid signature verification. Confirm before `sync`/`upgrade` applies content or `builds remove` deletes a local artifact. - If the user asks about Kubernetes deployment, this skill does not cover the operator -- direct them accordingly. ## Error Handling | Symptom | Cause | Recovery | |---------|-------|----------| | Container can't reach localhost | Bridge network isolation | Use `host.docker.internal` (Docker Desktop), `host.containers.internal` (Podman), `172.17.0.1` (Linux) | | Port already in use | Another server on same port | Use `--proxy-port ` | | Permission denied on volume | Mount path or profile issue | Check volume mount paths and permission profiles (`--permission-profile`) | | Container runtime not found | No runtime or socket issue | Run `thv runtime check`; override socket with `TOOLHIVE_PODMAN_SOCKET`, `TOOLHIVE_COLIMA_SOCKET`, or `TOOLHIVE_DOCKER_SOCKET` | | Secret operation fails | Provider not configured | Run `thv secret setup` first | | Image pull fails | Network or auth issue | Check network connectivity; for private registries, ensure credentials are configured | | Remote auth token expired | OAuth token lifetime exceeded | Restart the server (`thv restart`) to trigger fresh authentication | | Sensitive files exposed in mount | No `.thvignore` configured | Add `.thvignore` in mounted directory or globally at `~/.config/toolhive/thvignore` | | Skill command fails with connection error | `thv serve` not running | Start `thv serve` before using skill commands | | Skill validation fails | Invalid SKILL.md or directory structure | Run `thv skill validate ./path` and fix reported errors | | AI plugin API unreachable | `thv serve` is not running | Start `thv serve`; increase `TOOLHIVE_API_TIMEOUT` only for a server that is still working | | Plugin sync check fails | Missing or drifted project plugin | Review the result, then run `thv ai-plugin sync` and confirm; do not add trust-bypass flags automatically | | Plugin activation unclear | Client did not load a declared component | Inspect client support and client output; materialized component metadata is not activation proof | | Plugin signature rejected | Untrusted, invalid, or changed signer | Inspect the artifact and lock pin; `--allow-unsigned` cannot bypass invalid verification | ## Global Options - `--debug`: Verbose output - `-h, --help`: Command help Container runtime auto-detected: Podman -> Colima -> Docker. ## See Also - [COMMANDS.md](references/COMMANDS.md) - Complete command reference with all flags - [EXAMPLES.md](references/EXAMPLES.md) - Detailed usage examples and workflows