by open-webui · open-webui/open-webui
Self-hosted ChatGPT-like UI with MCP support — point it at Ollama or any provider and consume MCP tools through a real web app.
Open WebUI is the most-used self-hosted chat UI. It supports MCP servers as tools, so you can run Claude-style workflows on your hardware. Useful when you need a multi-user UI in front of MCP that isn't Claude Desktop.
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json{
"mcpServers": {
"open-webui-mcp": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-p",
"3000:8080",
"ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:main"
]
}
}
}Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config. Restart after saving.
{
"mcpServers": {
"open-webui-mcp": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-p",
"3000:8080",
"ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:main"
]
}
}
}Cursor uses the same mcpServers schema as Claude Desktop. Project config wins over global.
{
"mcpServers": {
"open-webui-mcp": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-p",
"3000:8080",
"ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:main"
]
}
}
}Click the MCP Servers icon in the Cline sidebar, then "Edit Configuration".
{
"mcpServers": {
"open-webui-mcp": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-p",
"3000:8080",
"ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:main"
]
}
}
}Same shape as Claude Desktop. Restart Windsurf to pick up changes.
{
"mcpServers": [
{
"name": "open-webui-mcp",
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-p",
"3000:8080",
"ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:main"
]
}
]
}Continue uses an array of server objects rather than a map.
{
"context_servers": {
"open-webui-mcp": {
"command": {
"path": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-p",
"3000:8080",
"ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:main"
]
}
}
}
}Add to context_servers. Zed hot-reloads on save.
claude mcp add open-webui-mcp -- docker run -p 3000:8080 ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:mainOne-liner. Verify with claude mcp list. Remove with claude mcp remove.
When to use: Not everyone runs Claude Desktop, but you want them on the same MCP tools.
Outcome: Team chat UI on top of internal MCP tools.
Pair Open WebUI with local Ollama for fully-private team chat
| Tool | Inputs | When to call | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| mcp.register | (see docs) | Register an MCP server | 1 call |
| chat.invoke | (see docs) | Send a chat that may call MCP tools | 1 call |
openwebui:adminRun on the public internet without authMCP tool not visibleRe-register and check the server is reachable from the container
| Alternative | When to use it instead | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| 5ire | Single-user desktop | Not multi-user |