Docker MCP Gateway is the best-supported starting point in the available project documentation if you want an open-source gateway with an explicit Claude Code setup path. It offers profiles, tool controls, and documented stdio and streaming modes. For a self-hosted HTTP endpoint, R0Wi’s MCP Gateway documents a separate Docker Compose deployment and Claude Code connection. Neither project’s documentation should be mistaken for an independent security or performance review.
What an MCP gateway adds to Claude Code
Without a gateway, you configure MCP servers as connections for the client. A gateway can sit between Claude Code and multiple MCP servers, giving the client one connection while centralizing configuration and routing. Docker describes its gateway as managing server lifecycle, credentials, access control, routing, and authentication. These are documented capabilities, not proof that a particular deployment is secure.
The practical choice is less about a general “best gateway” ranking than about how you want to deploy and control access: Docker’s documented CLI-and-profile workflow, or a self-hosted HTTP service such as R0Wi’s.
Options with documented Claude Code setup
| Option | Claude Code connection | Deployment and transport | Documented controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Docker MCP Gateway | docker mcp client connect claude-code --profile dev-tools --global |
Docker CLI plugin; README examples cover stdio and streaming transport. Docker Desktop MCP Toolkit can run it in the background. | Profiles, server lifecycle and routing, credential and OAuth handling, and controls to enable or disable individual tools. |
| R0Wi MCP Gateway | claude mcp add --transport http gateway https://mcp.example.com/mcp |
Self-hosted Docker Compose deployment with an HTTP MCP endpoint; project documentation suggests a reverse proxy for TLS. | Project documentation describes login and consent, OAuth backends, and encrypted SQLite token storage. |
These are the two options in the available material with the clearest Claude Code-specific instructions, not a comprehensive ranking of open-source MCP gateways. Docker’s AI Governance gateway access is described as invite-only; that note concerns that offering and should not be confused with the open-source CLI gateway.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
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Connect Claude Code to Docker MCP Gateway
Check prerequisites and choose a profile
Docker’s README lists Docker Desktop 4.59+ with the MCP Toolkit enabled for its documented desktop path. It also says the CLI can run independently. Version requirements and availability may change, so check the current Docker MCP Gateway README before setup. Create or select a profile, such as dev-tools, containing the MCP servers and tools you want available.
Connect and verify
- Run
docker mcp client connect claude-code --profile dev-tools --globalto connect the profile globally, as shown in Docker’s repository instructions. The README also describesCLAUDE_CONFIG_DIRfor using a separate Claude Code configuration directory. - Run
claude mcp list. Docker’s getting-started guide says to confirm thatMCP_DOCKERappears as connected. - Send Claude Code a prompt that actually invokes a tool from one of the installed MCP servers. A listed connection checks that the client sees it; an invocation checks that the chosen server and tool work in practice.
Manage servers and tools
Docker’s README documents adding servers from catalog, OCI, registry, or local-file references, organizing them into profiles, and enabling or disabling individual tools in a profile. It also documents docker mcp gateway run for stdio and an example using --transport streaming. Choose the profile and tool set deliberately: a gateway connection does not mean every available tool needs to be exposed to Claude Code.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Use R0Wi for a self-hosted HTTP pattern
R0Wi’s project README documents copying a sample YAML configuration, setting a public URL, users, backends, and an encryption key, then starting the service with Docker Compose. Its example Claude Code command is:
claude mcp add --transport http gateway https://mcp.example.com/mcp
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Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The project describes a browser-based login and consent flow and OAuth connections to backends. Its instructions say to put the endpoint behind a reverse proxy for TLS or otherwise configure exposure intentionally. These are maintainer-documented features; check the R0Wi MCP Gateway repository for current setup details, and assess its code and deployment for your own requirements.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to evaluate before choosing
- Deployment and maintenance: Decide whether you prefer Docker’s CLI workflow or responsibility for hosting and updating a Compose-based HTTP service.
- Transport: Confirm the gateway mode you intend to use is documented for your client setup. Docker documents stdio and streaming examples; R0Wi documents an HTTP endpoint.
- Tool access: Check whether profiles and per-tool enable/disable controls meet your needs, and expose only the tools required for the task.
- Credentials and authentication: Determine how credentials are stored and passed to downstream servers, and what protects the client-facing connection. Docker documents credential handling and OAuth flows; R0Wi documents login, OAuth backends, and token storage.
- Isolation and updates: Establish how downstream servers are isolated, who patches the gateway and server images, and how you will apply updates.
- Evidence quality: Treat project feature descriptions as claims about intended behavior, not as an independent audit, reliability evaluation, or benchmark.
The available project materials establish no comparable performance benchmark or independent security audit for these options. They also do not support adoption counts, latency figures, or broad claims that one gateway is inherently safer.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
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