Container Use
FreeNot checkedProvides containerized development environments that persist state across interactions through git-based storage and Dagger's container runtime, enabling isolat
About
Provides containerized development environments that persist state across interactions through git-based storage and Dagger's container runtime, enabling isolated environments with custom toolchains, background services, and the ability to checkpoint environments as publishable container images.
README
Container Use lets coding agents do their work in parallel environments without getting in your way. Go from babysitting one agent at a time to enabling multiple agents to work safely and independently with your preferred stack. See the full documentation.
It's an open-source MCP server that works as a CLI tool with Claude Code, Cursor, and other MCP-compatible agents. Powered by Dagger.
- 📦 Isolated Environments: Each agent gets a fresh container in its own git branch - run multiple agents without conflicts, experiment safely, discard failures instantly.
- 👀 Real-time Visibility: See complete command history and logs of what agents actually did, not just what they claim.
- 🚁 Direct Intervention: Drop into any agent's terminal to see their state and take control when they get stuck.
- 🎮 Environment Control: Standard git workflow - just
git checkout <branch_name>to review any agent's work. - 🌎 Universal Compatibility: Works with any agent, model, or infrastructure - no vendor lock-in.
🦺 This project is in early development and actively evolving. Submit issues and/or reach out to us on Discord in the #container-use channel.
Quick Start
Install
# macOS (recommended)
brew install dagger/tap/container-use
# All platforms
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dagger/container-use/main/install.sh | bash
Setup with Your Agent
Container Use works with any MCP-compatible agent. The setup is always the same: add container-use stdio as an MCP server.
👉 Complete setup guide for all agents (Cursor, Goose, VSCode, etc.)
Example with Claude Code:
# Add Container Use MCP server
cd /path/to/repository
claude mcp add container-use -- container-use stdio
# Add agent rules (optional)
curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dagger/container-use/main/rules/agent.md >> CLAUDE.md
💡 Command Shortcut
The container-use command is also available as cu for convenience. Both commands work identically:
container-use stdio(used in documentation)cu stdio(shortcut)
Try It
Ask your agent to create something:
Create a hello world app in python using flask
Your agent will work in an isolated environment and give you URLs to view the app and explore the code!
Installing Container Use
This server has no published package — it is built from source. Open the repository and follow its README.
▸ github.com/dagger/container-useFAQ
Is Container Use MCP free?
Yes, Container Use MCP is free — one-click install via Unyly at no cost.
Does Container Use need an API key?
No, Container Use runs without API keys or environment variables.
Is Container Use hosted or self-hosted?
Self-hosted: the server runs locally on your machine via the install command above.
How do I install Container Use in Claude Desktop, Claude Code or Cursor?
Open Container Use on unyly.org, pick your client tab (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor) and press Install — the config is generated automatically, no JSON editing.
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