---
title: "Installation"
---

There are **two ways** to use Prowler MCP Server:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Cloud MCP Server (Recommended)" icon="cloud" color="#10B981">
    **No installation required** - Just configuration

    Use `https://mcp.prowler.com/mcp`
  </Card>
  <Card title="Local MCP Server" icon="server" color="#6366F1">
    **Local installation** - Full control

    Install via Docker, PyPI, or source code
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


For the Cloud MCP Server, go directly to the [Configuration Guide](/getting-started/basic-usage/prowler-mcp#cloud-mcp-server-configuration-recommended) to set up your Claude Desktop, Cursor, or other MCP client.
**This guide is focused on local installation, the Local MCP Server**.

## Installation Methods

Choose one of the following installation methods:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Docker (Recommended)">
    ### Pull from Docker Hub

    The easiest way to run locally is using the official Docker image:

    ```bash
    docker pull prowlercloud/prowler-mcp
    ```

    ### Run the Container

    ```bash
    # STDIO mode (for local MCP clients)
    docker run --rm -i prowlercloud/prowler-mcp

    # HTTP mode (for remote access)
    docker run --rm -p 8000:8000 \
      prowlercloud/prowler-mcp \
      --transport http --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
    ```

    ### With Environment Variables

    ```bash
    docker run --rm -i \
      -e PROWLER_API_KEY="pk_your_api_key" \
      -e API_BASE_URL="https://api.prowler.com/api/v1" \
      prowlercloud/prowler-mcp
    ```

    <Info>
    **Docker Hub:** [prowlercloud/prowler-mcp](https://hub.docker.com/r/prowlercloud/prowler-mcp)
    </Info>

  </Tab>

  <Tab title="PyPI Package">
    ### Install via pip

    <Warning>
    **Coming Soon** - PyPI package will be available shortly
    </Warning>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="From Source (Development)">
    ### Install uv

    If `uv` is not installed, install it first. Visit [uv documentation](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/) for more installation options.

    ### Clone the Repository

    ```bash
    git clone https://github.com/prowler-cloud/prowler.git
    cd prowler/mcp_server
    ```

    ### Install Dependencies

    The MCP server uses `uv` for dependency management. Install dependencies with:

    ```bash
    uv sync
    ```

    ### Verify Installation

    Test that the server is properly installed:

    ```bash
    uv run prowler-mcp --help
    ```

    The help message with available command-line options should appear.

    <Note>
    **For Development:** This method is recommended if you're developing or contributing to the MCP server.
    </Note>

  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Build Docker Image">
    ### Prerequisites

    Ensure Docker is installed on your system. Visit [Docker documentation](https://docs.docker.com/get-docker/) for more installation options.

    ### Clone the Repository

    ```bash
    git clone https://github.com/prowler-cloud/prowler.git
    cd prowler/mcp_server
    ```

    ### Build the Docker Image

    ```bash
    docker build -t prowler-mcp .
    ```

    This creates a Docker image named `prowler-mcp` with all necessary dependencies.

    ### Verify Installation

    Test that the Docker image was built successfully:

    ```bash
    docker run --rm prowler-mcp --help
    ```

    The help message with available command-line options should appear.

  </Tab>
</Tabs>

---

## Updating Prowler MCP Server

When running the Local MCP Server, upgrade to the latest version using the same method chosen for installation. The Cloud MCP Server (`https://mcp.prowler.com/mcp`) is always kept up to date by Prowler and requires no action.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Docker">
    Pull the latest image and restart the container:

    ```bash
    docker pull prowlercloud/prowler-mcp
    ```

    <Note>
      Recreate any running container after pulling the new image so the updated version takes effect.
    </Note>
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="From Source">
    Pull the latest changes and sync the dependencies:

    ```bash
    cd prowler/mcp_server
    git pull
    uv sync
    uv run prowler-mcp --help
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Build Docker Image">
    Pull the latest source and rebuild the image:

    ```bash
    cd prowler/mcp_server
    git pull
    docker build -t prowler-mcp .
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

---

## Command Line Options

The Prowler MCP Server supports the following command-line arguments:

```bash
prowler-mcp [--transport {stdio,http}] [--host HOST] [--port PORT]
```

| Argument | Values | Default | Description |
|----------|--------|---------|-------------|
| `--transport` | `stdio`, `http` | `stdio` | Transport method for MCP communication |
| `--host` | Any valid hostname/IP | `127.0.0.1` | Host to bind to (HTTP mode only) |
| `--port` | Port number | `8000` | Port to bind to (HTTP mode only) |

### Examples

```bash
# Default STDIO mode for local MCP client integration
prowler-mcp

# Explicit STDIO mode
prowler-mcp --transport stdio

# HTTP mode on default host and port (127.0.0.1:8000)
prowler-mcp --transport http

# HTTP mode accessible from any network interface
prowler-mcp --transport http --host 0.0.0.0

# HTTP mode with custom port
prowler-mcp --transport http --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8080
```

## Environment Variables

Configure the server using environment variables:

| Variable | Description | Required | Default |
|----------|-------------|----------|---------|
| `PROWLER_API_KEY` | Prowler API key | Only for STDIO mode | - |
| `API_BASE_URL` | Custom Prowler API endpoint | No | `https://api.prowler.com/api/v1` |
| `PROWLER_MCP_TRANSPORT_MODE` | Default transport mode (overwritten by `--transport` argument) | No | `stdio` |

<CodeGroup>
```bash macOS/Linux
export PROWLER_API_KEY="pk_your_api_key_here"
export API_BASE_URL="https://api.prowler.com/api/v1"
export PROWLER_MCP_TRANSPORT_MODE="http"
```

```bash Windows PowerShell
$env:PROWLER_API_KEY="pk_your_api_key_here"
$env:API_BASE_URL="https://api.prowler.com/api/v1"
$env:PROWLER_MCP_TRANSPORT_MODE="http"
```
</CodeGroup>

<Warning>
Never commit your API key to version control. Use environment variables or secure secret management solutions.
</Warning>

### Using Environment Files

For convenience, create a `.env` file in the `mcp_server` directory:

```bash .env
PROWLER_API_KEY=pk_your_api_key_here
API_BASE_URL=https://api.prowler.com/api/v1
PROWLER_MCP_TRANSPORT_MODE=stdio
```

When using Docker, pass the environment file:

```bash
docker run --rm --env-file .env -it prowler-mcp
```

## Running from Any Location

Run the MCP server from anywhere using `uvx`:

```bash
uvx /path/to/prowler/mcp_server/
```

This is particularly useful when configuring MCP clients that need to launch the server from a specific path.

## Production Deployment

For production deployments that require customization, it is recommended to use the ASGI application that can be found in `prowler_mcp_server.server`. This can be run with uvicorn:

```bash
uvicorn prowler_mcp_server.server:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
```

For more details on production deployment options, see the [FastMCP production deployment guide](https://gofastmcp.com/deployment/http#production-deployment) and [uvicorn settings](https://www.uvicorn.org/settings/).

### Entrypoint Script

The source tree includes `entrypoint.sh` to simplify switching between the
standard CLI runner and the ASGI app. The first argument selects the mode and
any additional flags are passed straight through:

```bash
# Default CLI experience (prowler-mcp console script)
./entrypoint.sh main --transport http --host 0.0.0.0

# ASGI app via uvicorn
./entrypoint.sh uvicorn --host 0.0.0.0 --port 9000
```

Omitting the mode defaults to `main`, matching the `prowler-mcp` console script.
When `uvicorn` mode is selected, the script exports `PROWLER_MCP_TRANSPORT_MODE=http` automatically.

This is the default entrypoint for the Docker container.

## Next Steps

Now that you have the Prowler MCP Server installed, proceed to configure your MCP client:

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card title="Configuration" icon="gear" href="/getting-started/basic-usage/prowler-mcp">
    Configure Claude Desktop, Cursor, or other MCP clients
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Getting Help

If you encounter issues during installation:

- Search for existing [GitHub issues](https://github.com/prowler-cloud/prowler/issues)
- Ask for help in our [Slack community](https://goto.prowler.com/slack)
- Report a new issue on [GitHub](https://github.com/prowler-cloud/prowler/issues/new)
