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Run cognee in Docker

Start the cognee memory server in Docker, from a prebuilt image or the full repo stack.

Source Download skill
Repository
topoteretes/cognee
Stars
33,002
Licence
Apache-2.0
Files
1 file

What it does

When installed, the agent knows how to start cognee, a tool that turns documents into AI memory, inside Docker containers. It can write a minimal docker-compose file that pulls the prebuilt image, guide you through starting the API server and sending a first note and query, or bring up the fuller repository stack with optional UI, MCP server, Postgres and Neo4j profiles. It is a setup guide: it tells the agent which commands and settings to use rather than doing new analysis itself.

Great for

  • Developers who want to try cognee locally without cloning or building the code
  • Teams setting up a shared cognee server with optional UI, MCP or databases via Docker Compose

Skip it if

  • Production deployments: the try-out config disables access control and uses shared local databases with default credentials, so it is not suitable as-is for real data
  • Users without Docker or without an OpenAI (or other LLM) API key, since the setup cannot run without them

Try asking

  • “Set up cognee in Docker so I can test it on my own documents”
  • “Start the cognee API server in a container and show me how to send a test note and query it”
  • “Bring up the full cognee stack with the UI and Postgres using docker compose profiles”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Run cognee in DockerInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 1 original files, the Apache-2.0 licence and an attribution note.

    cognee-docker.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip cognee-docker.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip cognee-docker.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Keep the try-out setup on a local machine; change the default Neo4j and Postgres passwords before any shared use
  • Set ENABLE_BACKEND_ACCESS_CONTROL appropriately if more than one person uses the server, since leaving it unset requires authentication on every call
  • Store your API key in a .env file or environment variable rather than pasting it into chat or committing it to version control

What's inside

  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from topoteretes/cognee under the Apache-2.0 licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.