Multiple docker instances

[RollsChris]

Hi i just want to know id its normal for each copilot session to create its own docker instance of "microsoft/mcp-dotnet-samples/awesome-copilot:latest"?

Is there any way around it?

Thanks

[aaronpowell]

Yes, assuming that you're using the MCP server via a mcp.json that specifies the docker run command rather than a centralised HTTP endpoint.

What you'll find happening is that each Copilot session reads the mcp.json file, goes "I need to connect to these MCP servers" and for ones that are using CLI tools (docker, npx, uv, etc.) it'll run those CLI's, which spawns new processes.

An alternative solution is to do the docker run yourself and then configure the mcp.json to use HTTP rather than STDIO.