docs: Docker as zero-install MCP option

[joshrotenberg]

Summary

Document and optimize the Docker image as a "zero install" option for MCP users. Users should be able to copy a .mcp.json snippet and immediately start using redisctl with their AI agent.

Current State

The Docker image includes both redisctl and redisctl-mcp binaries. However:

• Need to verify stdio transport works correctly in Docker
• Need to document credential passing (env vars vs mounted config)
• Need example .mcp.json configurations

Proposed Documentation

Option 1: Environment Variables (Simplest)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "redisctl": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run", "--rm", "-i",
        "-e", "REDIS_ENTERPRISE_URL=https://cluster:9443",
        "-e", "REDIS_ENTERPRISE_USER=admin@redis.local",
        "-e", "REDIS_ENTERPRISE_PASSWORD",
        "ghcr.io/redis-developer/redisctl:latest",
        "redisctl-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Note: Password pulled from host environment, not hardcoded.

Option 2: Mounted Config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "redisctl": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run", "--rm", "-i",
        "-v", "${HOME}/.config/redisctl:/root/.config/redisctl:ro",
        "ghcr.io/redis-developer/redisctl:latest",
        "redisctl-mcp", "--profile", "my-profile"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Option 3: Network Access for Local Clusters

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "redisctl": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run", "--rm", "-i",
        "--network", "host",
        "-e", "REDIS_ENTERPRISE_URL=https://localhost:9443",
        "-e", "REDIS_ENTERPRISE_USER=admin@redis.local", 
        "-e", "REDIS_ENTERPRISE_PASSWORD",
        "-e", "REDIS_ENTERPRISE_INSECURE=true",
        "ghcr.io/redis-developer/redisctl:latest",
        "redisctl-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Tasks

• Verify stdio transport works in Docker container
• Test all three configuration options
• Add to MCP documentation
• Consider a docker-mcp.json.example in repo root
• Update README with "zero install" section

Related

• docs(mcp): add Cloud and Enterprise quickstart walkthroughs #645 - MCP quickstart walkthroughs
• feat(mcp): add profile creation tool with elicitation support #646 - Profile creation via MCP
• feat(docker): add redisctl-mcp binary to Docker image #639 - Docker image with both binaries