About shipshape-mcp
shipshape-mcp is an open-source MCP server for coding agents that checks Dockerfiles and Kubernetes manifests. It returns an A–F grade and findings with line locations, fixes, and references.
Key features
- 01Lints Dockerfiles and Kubernetes manifests
- 02Checks Pod Security Standards and resource settings
- 03Finds risks such as root users and exposed secrets
- 04Returns grades, findings, and suggested fixes
Use cases
- 01Reviewing container files before handoff
- 02Checking Kubernetes manifests for security issues
MCP support
Exposes a `lint` tool to MCP clients for checking content or a file path. It runs locally over stdio and calls the Shipshape API.
Configuration
Local server config is the same for every client. Copy it into your client’s MCP config file.
uvx bytestay-shipshape-mcpRAPIDAPI_KEYSecretYour RapidAPI keyAPI_MARKET_KEYSecretYour api.market key, used when RAPIDAPI_KEY is not setBYTESTAY_MARKETPLACErapidapi or apimarket, when both keys are set (the old name HFL_MARKETPLACE still works)Local servers need a runtime on your machine (e.g. Node.js 18+). Config file locations differ by client; see your client’s docs.
Tools
Local servers expose tools only once running on your machine, and the maintainer has not provided a tool list.
Details
From the project READMEShipshape MCP server
Let your coding agent lint a Dockerfile or Kubernetes manifest before handing it over: root in the final stage, unpinned base images, curl | sh, secrets in ENV/ARG, Pod Security Standards, resources and probes.
The server is open source (MIT). It calls the Shipshape API, which is paid, with a free plan.
- You use your own key, from RapidAPI or api.market.
- Every tool call is one request on your plan.
- The free Basic plan has 15 requests a month, with a hard limit, so it never runs up a bill.
1. Get a key
| marketplace | |
|---|---|
| RapidAPI | plans |
| api.market | store |
2. Add the server to your MCP client
The server runs locally over stdio with uv. Put your key in its environment.
JSON configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code and most clients):
{
"mcpServers": {
"shipshape": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["--from", "bytestay-shipshape-mcp", "shipshape-mcp"],
"env": { "RAPIDAPI_KEY": "your-rapidapi-key" }
}
}
}
Claude Code:
claude mcp add shipshape --env RAPIDAPI_KEY=your-rapidapi-key -- uvx --from bytestay-shipshape-mcp shipshape-mcp
Environment
| variable | meaning |
|---|---|
RAPIDAPI_KEY | your RapidAPI key |
API_MARKET_KEY | your api.market key, used when RAPIDAPI_KEY is not set |
HFL_MARKETPLACE | rapidapi or apimarket, when both keys are set |
Without a key the server still starts. The first tool call then explains where to get one.
Also listed on Glama:
3. Tools
| tool | what it does |
|---|---|
lint(content=… | path=…, type="auto", fail_on="high", ignore=[…]) | lints one file and returns the A–F grade, score, passed and every finding with its line, fix and reference |
- With
path, files named likeDockerfile,*.Dockerfile,Dockerfile.*orContainerfileare linted as Dockerfiles. passedis false when a finding is at or abovefail_on.
Every tool returns the API's JSON response.
- When the marketplace reports it,
quota_remainingis added: the requests left on your plan this month. - Errors are explained in plain words, with what to do next:
- key refused, with the link to subscribe;
- quota reached, with the plans;
- input the API couldn't process, with the API's reason.
Privacy
- Local files are read only when a tool is given their path. They are sent to the API for that one request.
- The API processes inputs in memory and doesn't store them. See the privacy policy.
- Your key is only sent to the marketplace you chose.
Limits
- Files up to 512 KiB.
- Helm templates must be rendered first (
helm template). - NetworkPolicies, PodDisruptionBudgets and RBAC are not checked.
- The server needs Python 3.10+ (uv installs it for you).
Development
uv venv && uv pip install -e ".[dev]"
.venv/bin/pytest # unit tests, no network; 100% coverage required
.venv/bin/ruff check src tests scripts
scripts/e2e_stdio.py shipshape runs the server over stdio, as a client would, and calls its tools against the real API. It needs RAPIDAPI_KEY or API_MARKET_KEY.
Licence
MIT. Shipshape itself is a paid API with a free plan, run by ByteStay.
Comments
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