Easy and secure MCP servers, now on Windows

#mcp #ai #security

ToolHive v0.0.39 is here, and it comes with a big update for developers: native Windows support!

Previously, ToolHive worked great on macOS and Linux. But if you develop on Windows, your only option was WSL. That got the job done, but it came with limitations, especially around client auto-configuration. Now with native support, you get the full experience, including seamless integration with VS Code, Cursor, and other supported tools.

What is ToolHive?

ToolHive makes it easy and secure to run Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. It wraps any MCP server in a lightweight, locked-down container, taking care of orchestration, security, and client configuration so you can focus on building.

With ToolHive, you can:

Easily discover high-quality MCP servers through the built-in registry
Spin up an MCP server with a single thv run command using Docker or Podman under the hood
Securely pass secrets and mount volumes
Automatically configure clients like GitHub Copilot in VS Code, Cursor, Cline, and more

ToolHive isn't just for individual developer workstations, it's also designed with long-term scale and security in mind. Features like Kubernetes integration and support for OAuth-based client auth lay the groundwork for more robust, team-ready deployments.

What’s new in v0.0.39 and why it matters

With this release, ToolHive offers:

First-class support for native Windows environments. You now have access to the full ToolHive experience. That includes the automatic configuration of clients, one of the major reasons developers love ToolHive. No more digging through docs or .json settings to wire things up manually.
Full client auto-discovery and integration on Windows for supported tools. Auto-discovery means ToolHive can automatically register new MCP servers with your tools as soon as they start. This was previously only possible on macOS and Linux, but no longer!

This release also underscores a broader commitment: ToolHive should feel like it belongs on your platform, whether you’re using it for a single MCP server or managing a fleet across a team.

How to install it

The only prerequisite is to have Docker Desktop or Podman Desktop installed and running on your system. To install the ToolHive CLI, you’ve got three options:

1. Use WinGet

WinGet is built into all current versions of Windows 10 and 11 and is the easiest way to install ToolHive. Just run:

winget install stacklok.thv

2. Download the prebuilt `.exe`

Head over to the ToolHive GitHub releases page and grab the latest Windows binary. Extract the ZIP, move it somewhere in your PATH, and you’re ready to go.

3. Build from source

Have Go 1.24 installed? Then you can build ToolHive yourself:

git clone https://github.com/stacklok/toolhive.git
cd toolhive

go install .\cmd\thv

Ready to get started?

Check out the ToolHive repo
Join the Stacklok Discord to ask questions or share feedback

We’re always looking to make ToolHive more powerful, more secure, and more developer-friendly. This release is one small step for cross-platform support, one giant leap for better context-aware development. 🚀