Requirements
What you need before you bring Memchentic up. Pick one path (Docker or Helm); both run the same application against Postgres with vector search.
Deploy path
Path |
You need |
|---|---|
Docker Compose |
Docker Engine with Compose v2, and free host ports for the web UI and agent connection |
Kubernetes (Helm) |
A cluster you can install into, plus Helm 3 |
Runtime pieces
Piece |
Requirement |
|---|---|
Application image |
|
Database |
Postgres 16 with pgvector (Compose and the Helm chart default to |
Storage |
Durable disk for Postgres (a Compose volume or a Kubernetes PVC) |
The first start prepares the database. Point the app at the database with
POSTGRES_HOSTNAME (or the Helm equivalent) — in-cluster Postgres, the
Compose database service, or a host you already run.
Secrets
These must be set before a healthy start. Weak placeholders and short values are rejected.
Secret |
Rule |
|---|---|
|
At least 16 characters; not a placeholder such as |
|
At least 16 characters; not a placeholder such as |
|
Non-empty password for the database role |
ADMIN_EMAIL / ADMIN_DISPLAY_NAME create the first admin user (defaults are
fine for a first bring-up). Full list: Environment Variables.
Network and clients
Piece |
Notes |
|---|---|
Public URL |
Set |
Compose ports (defaults) |
Web UI |
Kubernetes |
Service on 8080; Ingress is off by default |
Coding agents |
Cursor, Claude Code, Copilot, Codex, or another MCP client after the stack is up — see Connect MCP |
Login defaults to built-in email and password. An external provider is optional; when you use one, register the callback URL from Environment Variables on that provider.
Optional extras
Extra |
When |
|---|---|
External Postgres |
You already run Postgres 16 + pgvector elsewhere |
External login provider |
Google, GitHub, Okta, Authentik, Keycloak, Auth0, Entra, GitLab, or another OIDC provider |
GHCR login |
Only if image pulls are private in your environment |
Marketplace plugin |
Optional after MCP works — Install Marketplace |