# Docker Agent **Docker Agent is Docker's open-source framework for running teams of specialized AI agents that delegate to each other, configured entirely in YAML and shipped as OCI artifacts.** Built on the `cagent` engine; runs with `docker agent run config.yaml`. The bet: one generalist agent context-switching across a complex task does it worse than a root agent that delegates to focused sub-agents, each with its own model, instructions, and tools. Docker Agent gives you that hierarchy without building the orchestration loop yourself. ## How it works - **Root + sub-agents.** You talk to a root agent; it delegates to sub-agents based on the config. Hierarchies nest. - **Per-agent models.** Each agent picks its own LLM and parameters from Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI, or Google. - **Isolated contexts.** Agents keep separate knowledge instead of sharing one context window. - **Built-in tools.** Todo lists, memory, task delegation out of the box. - **External tools via [[Model Context Protocol (MCP)]].** Wire in MCP servers, filesystem, and shell. ## Distribution is the Docker-native part Package an agent config as an **OCI artifact** and push it to Docker Hub or any compatible registry, the same way you ship an image. That's how a team shares and versions agents. ## Running it 1. Set API keys for your provider. 2. Write the YAML (models, roles, instructions, sub-agent list, toolsets). 3. `docker agent run config.yaml`, then interact in the terminal. Ships in Docker Desktop 4.63+, or install via Homebrew, Winget, or a prebuilt binary in `~/.docker/cli-plugins`. ## References - https://docs.docker.com/ai/docker-agent/ ## Related - [[Docker AI]] - [[Docker]] - [[Docker MCP Catalog]] - [[Docker MCP Gateway]] - [[Docker Model Runner]] - [[Docker Compose for AI]] - [[Gordon (Docker AI Agent)]] - [[Model Context Protocol (MCP)]] - [[AI Agents]]