Windlass

Name: Windlass
Author: Sulaiman-Dauda

by Sulaiman-Daudaversion 0.62.0i★ 28iRuns in the cloud

Registry namerun.windlass/windlass

How to install

What it does

Read projects, logs and deployments on a self-hosted Windlass server; deploy, roll back, promote.

Connects Runs in the cloud
Account or key Needs Authorization
Category Developer tools

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Passed 3/3 checks · What you ask goes through the maker’s server ({host}) · ✓ Commands checked Nov 13, 2026

First: which AI do you use?

ClaudeWeb · app · phoneChatGPTWebClaude CodeTerminalCursorCode editorVS CodeCode editorOtherOther apps

Pick your app and the steps appear below.

Works with Claude, with some setup first

You need a Windlass key (create it on the maker’s site) · The address has {…} parts you must replace with your own first · Set it up once on claude.ai or the desktop app, then use it in chat · free accounts can add 1 · on Team/Enterprise an Owner adds it

Sign up and create a Windlass key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. Check the maker’s site for pricing and free plans.
Open the Windlass site ↗
Done
Open Claude’s Connectors page
CustomizeConnectors
Done
Click “Add” → “Custom” → “Web” and fill in these 2 fields
Copy each value into the field with the same name in Claude, then click Continue
Name · NameWindlass
Remote MCP server URL · Addresshttps://{host}/api/v1/mcp
Under Request headers, add this name and value
Header nameAuthorization
ValueBearer <paste your key here>
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Click Continue past the sign-in settings Claude detected · under Authentication choose what the maker says (Sign in now, Sign in when needed or No sign in), then click Add
Done
Turn it on in a chat
+ConnectorsWindlass
Done
Try it
Use Windlass and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude says it is using Windlass or shows a Windlass tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

ChatGPT cannot connect Windlass yet

Windlass needs your own key to connect, but OpenAI’s help page only describes OAuth sign-in; there is no key option we could verify

What you can do instead

A · Use an app that can connect Windlass

Steps for Claude →You need a Windlass key (create it on the maker’s site) · The address has {…} parts you must replace with your own first · Set it up once on claude.ai or the desktop app, then use it in chat · free accounts can add 1 · on Team/Enterprise an Owner adds it
Steps for Claude Code →You need a Windlass key (create it on the maker’s site) · The address has {…} parts you must replace with your own first
Steps for Cursor →You need a Windlass key (create it on the maker’s site) · The address has {…} parts you must replace with your own first
Steps for VS Code →You need a Windlass key (create it on the maker’s site) · The address has {…} parts you must replace with your own first

B · Others in Developer tools that work with ChatGPT

Picked from the most used in the same category, only ones that connect by address with no key

Sentry✓ ChatGPT
Compiler Explorer✓ ChatGPT
GitDiagram✓ ChatGPT

Works with Claude Code, with some setup first

You need a Windlass key (create it on the maker’s site) · The address has {…} parts you must replace with your own first

Sign up and create a Windlass key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. Check the maker’s site for pricing and free plans.
Open the Windlass site ↗
Done
Open Terminal
Mac: press Command+Space and type Terminal · Windows: open PowerShell
Done
3
Paste this command and press Enter
```
claude mcp add --transport http --scope user windlass 'https://{host}/api/v1/mcp' --header 'Authorization: Bearer your-value'
```
Replace “your-value” with your key before pressing Enter
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Done
Type /mcp in Claude Code
You should see Windlass listed as connected
Done
Try it
Use Windlass and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude Code says it is using Windlass or shows a Windlass tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with Cursor, with some setup first

You need a Windlass key (create it on the maker’s site) · The address has {…} parts you must replace with your own first

Sign up and create a Windlass key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. Check the maker’s site for pricing and free plans.
Open the Windlass site ↗
Done

Open Cursor’s MCP settings file

~/.cursor/mcp.json

Paste these settings, fill in the empty values and save

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "windlass": {
      "url": "https://{host}/api/v1/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Done

Fill in your key
In the Windlass settings, Authorization is empty; add your key and save
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Done
Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Windlass and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Cursor says it is using Windlass or shows a Windlass tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Cursor’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with VS Code, with some setup first

You need a Windlass key (create it on the maker’s site) · The address has {…} parts you must replace with your own first

Sign up and create a Windlass key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. Check the maker’s site for pricing and free plans.
Open the Windlass site ↗
Done

Open VS Code’s MCP settings file

MCP: Open User Configuration

Paste these settings, fill in the empty values and save

{
  "servers": {
    "windlass": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://{host}/api/v1/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Done

Fill in your key
In the Windlass settings, Authorization is empty; add your key and save
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Done
Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Windlass and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If VS Code says it is using Windlass or shows a Windlass tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against VS Code’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Other apps that use MCP, such as Windsurf, Zed or Gemini CLI, each add servers differently. See how in the app list.

See every app that uses MCP →

Address for apps that connect over the web

Addresshttps://{host}/api/v1/mcp

JSON settings are under “For developers” below

Stuck? Ask people who use Windlass💬 Discussion →

For developers: Terminal commands and JSON settings

Over the web

Claude Code

claude mcp add --transport http --scope user windlass 'https://{host}/api/v1/mcp' --header 'Authorization: Bearer your-value'

Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "windlass": {
      "url": "https://{host}/api/v1/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code (mcp.json)

{
  "servers": {
    "windlass": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://{host}/api/v1/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Values you fill in

Authorization secret required HTTP header
Bearer followed by a Windlass API token from Settings, API tokens

Descriptions are as written by the maker.

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

At a glance

GitHub stars i: 28
Downloads per weeki: Not on npm/PyPI
Verified domain: ✓ windlass.run
Licence i: Apache-2.0
Connection: Runs in the cloud
Transport: streamable-http
Latest versioni: 0.62.0
Categoryi: Developer tools
Published to registryi: Nov 14, 2026
Code last changedi: Nov 14, 2026
Maker: Sulaiman-Dauda
Repo: Sulaiman-Dauda/windlass
Website: windlass.run
Registry status: Active

Which apps can use it

Based on how this server connects and on each app’s own docs, checked Nov 10, 2026.

Connect over the internet in

Claude Goose LM Studio Msty Studio Cherry Studio Cursor VS Code + GitHub Copilot Visual Studio Windsurf (Devin Desktop)Zed Kiro Cline Continue JetBrains AI Assistant Claude Code Codex CLI Gemini CLI OpenCode nodecode Warp LibreChat Open WebUI Raycast

All apps, with pros and cons →

What it can do

The address needs your own values, so we cannot read the tool list for you.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 15, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified against the domain windlass.run (the registry checks domain ownership)
✓ Pass
Still maintained
Code last changed yesterday
✓ Pass
Has a licence
Uses Apache-2.0
– Not applicable
Endpoint responds
The address needs your own account values, so we cannot check it for you
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
The address needs your own account values, so we cannot check it for you
… Not checked yet
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Not checked yet; we read the tool list when we check the endpoint

What we check → · JSON

Makers: ask for a re-check or report wrong info

Discussion

Ask, share a tip or report that it does not work. Sorted by what people marked helpful.

No posts yet. Be the first to ask or share.

Posts here are written by users, not the PopNx team.

User reviews

No reviews yet

Compared with others in Developer toolsi

More stars than 94% of the other 5921 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 95% of the other 5921 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 5921 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is Windlass safe?

It passed 3 of 3 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

You need to fill in: Authorization

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs in the maker’s cloud. Connect over the internet with nothing to install, but what you send passes through the maker’s servers.

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed yesterday, and the latest version (0.62.0) reached the registry yesterday.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. It connects by URL, so apps that accept remote MCP servers work too, such as ChatGPT on the web (full MCP on Business and above; Pro read-only).

What can I use instead?

In the same category: GitDiagram, Appllama, Cloudflare MCP, Omnara, Repowise

Similar alternatives

Same category, other makers, commands already checked. Official ones first, then by stars.

Reading a card:↓ Downloads per weeki★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

GitDiagram

Architecture diagrams, explanations and Mermaid source for public GitHub repositories.

by ahmedkhaleel2004Widely used★ 18.9KUpdated 2 months ago

Runs in the cloud✓ service owner · gitdiagram.comTried by the PopNx team

How to connect

Appllama

Study screens, flows and paywalls from top-earning iOS apps, then build from what wins.

by AppllamaWidely used★ 5.2KUpdated 3 months ago

Runs in the cloud✓ service owner · appllama.io

How to connect

Cloudflare MCP

Cloudflare MCP servers

by cloudflareWidely used★ 4.5KUpdated 14 months ago

Runs in the cloud✓ service owner · mcp.cloudflare.comTried by the PopNx team

How to connect

Omnara

Deploy durable AI agents with Omnara, an open-source managed-agent platform.

by omnara-aiWidely used★ 3.4KUpdated 2 months ago

Runs in the cloud✓ service owner · omnara.com

How to connect

Repowise

Codebase intelligence for AI coding agents: graph, git history, docs, decisions, code health.

by repowise-devWidely used↓ 6.5K/wk★ 8.1K Stars for the whole repoUpdated 2 days ago

Computer or cloud✓ service owner · repowise.dev

Install

GitDiagram — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed
Appllama — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed
Cloudflare MCP — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed · In Claude’s directory
Omnara — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed
Repowise — Cloud or install on your computer · No key needed

README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

Windlass

A self-hosted panel for Docker Compose that never rewrites your compose file.

Windlass gives one server Git deployments, HTTPS domains, logs, a terminal, metrics, backups and users, and does all of it by running the real docker compose CLI on your own compose.yaml. No Swarm, no Postgres, no Redis: one Go binary, one SQLite file and Caddy. The process idles at about 24 MB, and CI fails any build that reaches 40 MB.

curl -fsSL https://get.windlass.run | sudo sh

Runs on Linux, x86_64 or arm64. Claiming the instance and setting the panel domain are under Install.

Why Windlass

Your compose file stays yours. Windlass adds no labels, networks or renamed volumes to it. Routes go to Caddy through its API, so docker compose up -d by hand still works, and the panel reads the same files you edit.
The panel is not in the request path. Stop Windlass and your sites keep serving: the containers are ordinary Compose containers with a restart policy, and Caddy keeps its routes. See life without the panel.
Nothing to migrate off. Everything that defines an app is a plain file in /var/lib/windlass/projects/ /. Uninstall Windlass and you keep a folder of Compose projects that run with docker compose alone.
Small enough for the cheapest VPS. No database server or cache to feed besides your apps.
Staging that promotes what it tested. A project can have a staging copy with its own domains, .env and data. Pushes reach staging first, and Promote deploys the same commit and image digests to live. See Staging.
An MCP server for AI agents. Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code or Codex can read projects, logs and deployments, and with a Deploy only token can deploy, roll back and promote. The MCP server cannot edit a compose file or .env. Its eval results across Claude models are published. See AI agents (MCP) and Evals.

Status

Windlass is in production use: real projects are deployed and served with it. It is still 0.x, so a release can contain a breaking change; when one does, its release notes say so and what to do. The plugin SDK is held stable. Version 1.0 will mean the /api/v1 API, the plugin SDK and the project directory layout are frozen, and an outside security review has been done. Until then, read Security before putting it on a server you cannot rebuild.

How it compares

Checked against each project's own docs and source on 13/11/2026. Corrections welcome.

	Windlass	Coolify	Dokploy	CapRover	Dokku
Deploys your compose file with	`docker compose`, file unchanged	its own labels, networks and volume names added ("Raw" mode leaves it mostly alone)	`docker compose`, Traefik labels written into the file for domains set in the panel	converted into CapRover apps; `build`, `networks`, `deploy` and more ignored	no compose support; git push, image or archive
Runs alongside	Caddy and a restricted Docker socket proxy; SQLite is built in	Postgres, Redis, Traefik or Caddy	Docker Swarm, Postgres, Traefik	Docker Swarm, nginx	nginx (other proxies optional)
Stated server minimum	none; the panel idles at about 24 MB	2 GB RAM	2 GB RAM	1 GB RAM	1 GB RAM
Licence	Apache-2.0	Apache-2.0	Apache-2.0, except `/proprietary`	Apache-2.0 with added terms	MIT

If you want a Heroku-style git push workflow, Dokku is the better fit. If you already write Compose files and want a panel that leaves them alone, that is what Windlass is for.

Coming from Coolify, Dokploy or Portainer?

Windlass runs Compose projects on one server. What carries over:

From Coolify or Dokploy: bring the compose file you wrote, not the copy the panel ran, which has its labels and networks in it. Put it with its .env in /var/lib/windlass/projects/ /, add the domain in Windlass and deploy. Volume data has to be copied across, because Compose names volumes after the project; see adopting stacks you already have. Windlass never turns on Docker Swarm.
From Portainer: Portainer manages containers across many hosts and Kubernetes, and Windlass does not try to. On one server it adds what Portainer leaves to you: domains with HTTPS, scheduled backups with a database dump, and a staging copy that promotes what it tested. A Portainer stack is a Compose project, so it moves the same way. Rename docker-compose.yml to compose.yaml.
Not here yet: more than one server, and preview deployments for pull requests. If you need those today, Coolify and Dokploy have them.

More screens in docs/screenshots, and the full guides at windlass.run.

Source-of-truth model

Application configuration lives under the projects directory:

<projects>/<name>/

├── compose.yaml # services, images, ports, volumes, networks, env references, limits ├── .env # optional standard dotenv file; mode 0600 └── .windlass.json # source repository, branch, auto-deploy, and domains

Windlass executes the real docker compose CLI in that directory. Hand-editing the files and running docker compose up -d is supported. The Files and Environment screens read the same files, and Scan directory rebuilds the SQLite project/domain index.

SQLite is not application configuration. It contains platform state such as users, sessions, audit entries, deployment history, jobs, backup records, settings, encrypted credentials, and rebuildable project/domain/environment indexes. Removing SQLite does not stop running containers; filesystem scanning restores the application index, but platform history and accounts require a platform backup.

Main features

Manual, Git, webhook, template, and rollback deployments
Crash-resumable deployment jobs and replayable deployment events
Staging per project: pushes deploy to a copy with its own domains and data, and Promote deploys the commit and image digests it verified to live
Caddy application domains and a Settings-managed HTTPS domain for the panel itself
Raw file editing plus individual or bulk-paste environment variable editing
Compose-native CPU/memory limit visibility and application readiness checks
Container logs, browser terminal, host/container metrics, and image cleanup
Local and S3-compatible backups with optional schedules
Local users, roles, TOTP, and optional GitHub or Google sign-in
Personal API tokens for scripts and CI: read only, deploy only, deploy and edit, or admin
An MCP server for AI agents: Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code or Codex can read projects, logs and deployments, and deploy with a deploy only token
Private registry credentials, applied to the host with a real docker login
Optional external-process plugins

Application readiness is configured with ordinary Compose labels:

services:

web: labels: windlass.health.url: https://app.example.com/health windlass.health.status: "200" windlass.health.contains: ready windlass.health.stability_seconds: "10"

Install

curl -fsSL https://get.windlass.run | sudo sh

Claim the instance using the one-time token from sudo journalctl -u windlass | grep setup_token, then open Settings, General, Panel domain after pointing a DNS record at the server. Caddy obtains and renews the panel certificate automatically.

See Installation for systemd, container, configuration, update, and uninstall details.

Contributing

Building, testing and the architecture rules a change has to keep are in CONTRIBUTING.md. Vulnerabilities go to SECURITY.md, never a public issue.

Licence

Apache-2.0

Windlass

What it does

Install

Sign up and create a Windlass key

Open Claude’s Connectors page

Click “Add” → “Custom” → “Web” and fill in these 2 fields

Turn it on in a chat

Try it

What you can do instead

Sign up and create a Windlass key

Open Terminal

Paste this command and press Enter

Type /mcp in Claude Code

Try it

Sign up and create a Windlass key

Open Cursor’s MCP settings file

Fill in your key

Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode

Try it

Sign up and create a Windlass key

Open VS Code’s MCP settings file

Fill in your key

Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode

Try it

Over the web

Values you fill in

At a glance

Which apps can use it

Related guides

What it can do

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Discussion

User reviews

Compared with others in Developer toolsi

Common questions

Similar alternatives

GitDiagram

Appllama

Cloudflare MCP

Omnara

Repowise

README from the maker

Windlass

Why Windlass

Status

How it compares

Coming from Coolify, Dokploy or Portainer?

Source-of-truth model

Main features

Install

Contributing

Licence