---
title: 'Database Configuration'
description: 'Configuring MCPHub to use a PostgreSQL database as an alternative to the mcp_settings.json file.'
---

# Database Configuration for MCPHub

## Overview

MCPHub supports storing configuration data in a PostgreSQL database as an alternative to the `mcp_settings.json` file. Database mode provides enhanced persistence and scalability for production environments and enterprise deployments.

## Why Use Database Configuration?

**Core Benefits:**
- ✅ **Better Persistence** - Configuration stored in a professional database with transaction support and data integrity
- ✅ **High Availability** - Leverage database replication and failover capabilities
- ✅ **Enterprise Ready** - Meets enterprise data management and compliance requirements
- ✅ **Backup & Recovery** - Use mature database backup tools and strategies

## Environment Variables

### Required for Database Mode

```bash
# Database connection URL (PostgreSQL)
# Simply setting DB_URL will automatically enable database mode
DB_URL=postgresql://user:password@localhost:5432/mcphub

# Or explicitly control with USE_DB (overrides auto-detection)
# USE_DB=true
```

<Note>
**Simplified Configuration**: You only need to set `DB_URL` to enable database mode. MCPHub will automatically detect and enable database mode when `DB_URL` is present. Use `USE_DB=false` to explicitly disable database mode even when `DB_URL` is set.
</Note>

## Setup Instructions

### 1. Using Docker

#### Option A: Using External Database

If you already have a PostgreSQL database:

```bash
docker run -d \
  -p 3000:3000 \
  -v ./mcp_settings.json:/app/mcp_settings.json \
  -e DB_URL="postgresql://user:password@your-db-host:5432/mcphub" \
  samanhappy/mcphub
```

#### Option B: Using PostgreSQL as a separate service

Create a `docker-compose.yml`:

```yaml
version: '3.8'

services:
  postgres:
    image: postgres:16
    environment:
      POSTGRES_DB: mcphub
      POSTGRES_USER: mcphub
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: your_secure_password
    volumes:
      - pgdata:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    ports:
      - "5432:5432"

  mcphub:
    image: samanhappy/mcphub:latest
    environment:
      USE_DB: "true"
      DB_URL: "postgresql://mcphub:your_secure_password@postgres:5432/mcphub"
      PORT: 3000
    ports:
      - "3000:3000"
    depends_on:
      - postgres

volumes:
  pgdata:
```

Run with:
```bash
docker-compose up -d
```

### 2. Manual Setup

#### Step 1: Setup PostgreSQL Database

```bash
# Install PostgreSQL (if not already installed)
sudo apt-get install postgresql postgresql-contrib

# Create database and user
sudo -u postgres psql <<EOF
CREATE DATABASE mcphub;
CREATE USER mcphub WITH ENCRYPTED PASSWORD 'your_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE mcphub TO mcphub;
EOF
```

#### Step 2: Install MCPHub

```bash
npm install -g @samanhappy/mcphub
```

#### Step 3: Set Environment Variables

Create a `.env` file:

```bash
# Simply set DB_URL to enable database mode (USE_DB is auto-detected)
DB_URL=postgresql://mcphub:your_password@localhost:5432/mcphub
PORT=3000
```

#### Step 4: Run Migration (Optional)

If you have an existing `mcp_settings.json` file, migrate it:

```bash
# Run migration script
npx tsx src/scripts/migrate-to-database.ts
```

Or let MCPHub auto-migrate on first startup.

#### Step 5: Start MCPHub

```bash
mcphub
```

## Migration from File-Based to Database

MCPHub provides automatic migration on first startup when database mode is enabled. However, you can also run the migration manually.

### Automatic Migration

When you start MCPHub with `USE_DB=true` for the first time:

1. MCPHub connects to the database
2. Checks if any users exist in the database
3. If no users found, automatically migrates from `mcp_settings.json`
4. Creates all tables and imports all data

### Manual Migration

Run the migration script:

```bash
# Using npx
npx tsx src/scripts/migrate-to-database.ts

# Or using Node
node dist/scripts/migrate-to-database.js
```

The migration will:
- ✅ Create database tables if they don't exist
- ✅ Import all users with hashed passwords
- ✅ Import all MCP server configurations
- ✅ Import all groups
- ✅ Import system configuration
- ✅ Import user-specific configurations
- ✅ Skip existing records (safe to run multiple times)

## Configuration After Migration

Once running in database mode, all configuration changes are stored in the database:

- User management via `/api/users`
- Server management via `/api/servers`
- Group management via `/api/groups`
- System settings via `/api/system/config`

The web dashboard works exactly the same way, but now stores changes in the database instead of the file.

## Database Schema

MCPHub creates the following tables:

- **users** - User accounts and authentication
- **servers** - MCP server configurations
- **groups** - Server groups
- **system_config** - System-wide settings
- **user_configs** - User-specific settings
- **vector_embeddings** - Vector search data (for smart routing)

## Backup and Restore

### Backup

```bash
# PostgreSQL backup
pg_dump -U mcphub mcphub > mcphub_backup.sql

# Or using Docker
docker exec postgres pg_dump -U mcphub mcphub > mcphub_backup.sql
```

### Restore

```bash
# PostgreSQL restore
psql -U mcphub mcphub < mcphub_backup.sql

# Or using Docker
docker exec -i postgres psql -U mcphub mcphub < mcphub_backup.sql
```

## Switching Back to File-Based Config

If you need to switch back to file-based configuration:

1. Set `USE_DB=false` or remove `DB_URL` and `USE_DB` environment variables
2. Restart MCPHub
3. MCPHub will use `mcp_settings.json` again

Note: Changes made in database mode won't be reflected in the file unless you manually export them.

## Troubleshooting

### Connection Refused

```
Error: connect ECONNREFUSED 127.0.0.1:5432
```

**Solution:** Check that PostgreSQL is running and accessible:
```bash
# Check PostgreSQL status
sudo systemctl status postgresql

# Or for Docker
docker ps | grep postgres
```

### Authentication Failed

```
Error: password authentication failed for user "mcphub"
```

**Solution:** Verify database credentials in `DB_URL` environment variable.

### Migration Failed

```
❌ Migration failed: ...
```

**Solution:** 
1. Check that `mcp_settings.json` exists and is valid JSON
2. Verify database connection
3. Check logs for specific error messages
4. Ensure database user has CREATE TABLE permissions

### Tables Already Exist

Database tables are automatically created if they don't exist. If you get errors about existing tables, check:
1. Whether a previous migration partially completed
2. Manual table creation conflicts
3. Run with `synchronize: false` in database config if needed

## Environment Variables Reference

| Variable | Required | Default | Description |
|----------|----------|---------|-------------|
| `DB_URL` | Yes* | - | Full PostgreSQL connection URL. Setting this automatically enables database mode |
| `USE_DB` | No | auto | Explicitly enable/disable database mode. If not set, auto-detected based on `DB_URL` presence |
| `MCPHUB_SETTING_PATH` | No | - | Path to mcp_settings.json (for migration) |

*Required for database mode. Simply setting `DB_URL` enables database mode automatically

## Security Considerations

1. **Database Credentials:** Store database credentials securely, use environment variables or secrets management
2. **Network Access:** Restrict database access to MCPHub instances only
3. **Encryption:** Use SSL/TLS for database connections in production:
   ```bash
   DB_URL=postgresql://user:password@host:5432/mcphub?sslmode=require
   ```
4. **Backup:** Regularly backup your database
5. **Access Control:** Use strong database passwords and limit user permissions

## Performance

Database mode offers better performance for:
- Multiple concurrent users
- Frequent configuration changes
- Large number of servers/groups

File mode may be faster for:
- Single user setups
- Read-heavy workloads with infrequent changes
- Development/testing environments