Quickstart

Get NimbleBrain running locally with Docker Compose. You need Docker and an Anthropic API key.

Create a config file

Create nimblebrain.json in a new directory:
nimblebrain.json
```
{
  "$schema": "https://schemas.nimblebrain.ai/nimblebrain.json",
  "bundles": []
}
```
This minimal config starts NimbleBrain with no MCP bundles installed. The agent still has built-in platform capabilities (home, conversations, files, settings, usage, automations). You’ll install bundles in step 5 to give it domain-specific tools.

Create a Docker Compose file

services:
  platform:
    image: nimblebrain/platform:latest
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - workspace:/data
      - ./nimblebrain.json:/app/nimblebrain.json:ro
    environment:
      - ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY}
      - NB_API_KEY=${NB_API_KEY}

  web:
    image: nimblebrain/web:latest
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "27246:8080"
    environment:
      - PLATFORM_URL=http://platform:27247
    depends_on:
      platform:
        condition: service_healthy

volumes:
  workspace:

Set your environment variables and start
Terminal window
```
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-api03-...
export NB_API_KEY=my-secret-key-at-least-8-chars
docker compose up
```
You should see output like:
```
✔ Container quickstart-platform-1  Healthy
✔ Container quickstart-web-1       Started
```
The platform container runs the agent engine on port 27247 (internal). The web container serves the UI on port 27246.

NB_API_KEY protects the API. It must be at least 8 characters. You’ll enter this in the web UI login screen.
Open the web UI

Go to http://localhost:27246. Enter your NB_API_KEY value to log in.

Try sending a message:
```
What can you help me with?
```
The agent responds using its built-in platform capabilities. To give it domain-specific tools, install a bundle in the next step.
Install an app

Ask the agent to install a bundle:
```
Search mpak for available bundles
```
The agent uses nb__search (with scope: "registry") to search the registry. To install one:
```
Install @nimblebraininc/ipinfo
```
The agent calls nb__manage_app to download and start the bundle. You can now ask things like “What’s the IP info for 8.8.8.8?”

What’s next

Installation All install methods: Docker Compose or from source

Core Concepts Understand the agent loop, bundles, skills, and tools

Installing Apps Browse and install MCP bundles from the mpak registry