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Overview

Container Workspace is controlled primarily through the web UI at http://HOST:9000. The same process serves the REST API and (when enabled) MCP at /mcp.

Typical first hour​

  1. Pick an install path (Compose is the fastest for trying Docker images).
  2. Open the UI and complete first login.
  3. Enable modules you need under Settings → Options (Docker, Kubernetes, Brew, Proxy Manager default off on fresh installs).
  4. Install Docker Engine (and optionally desktop stack) from Softwares if you are on a container image that does not already include what you need.
  5. Connect an MCP client to /mcp or a standalone MCP_PORT — see MCP.

Architecture at a glance​

  • Binary name: containerws (also linked as cws)
  • Config root (production): /config/containerws (database, SSL, VNC sessions)
  • Persistence in Docker: bind or volume mount /config; nested Docker data under /var/lib/docker
  • SSH: port 22 inside images (often published as host 2222)

Next: Requirements.