# Glama Hosting Research
## Research Question
**Does Glama actually host MCP servers, or is it just a directory/marketplace?**
## What We Know
### From `glama.json` Schema
The `glama.json` file supports Docker configuration:
```json
{
"$schema": "https://glama.ai/mcp/schemas/server.json",
"maintainers": ["adrianmikula"],
"docker": {
"image": "your-docker-image"
}
}
```
This suggests Glama may support hosting via Docker images.
### From Glama Blog Post
According to [Glama's blog post about glama.json](https://glama.ai/blog/2025-07-08-what-is-glamajson):
**Benefits of claiming MCP Server:**
- Update server's name, description, and other attributes
- **Configure Docker image** ← This suggests hosting capability
- Access reports of server usage
- Receive notifications of reviews
### From Research Results
Search results indicate:
- Glama supports Dockerization
- Glama has a built-in MCP marketplace
- Glama provides infrastructure for MCP servers
- Glama allows AI assistants to manage containers
## What We Need to Verify
### Critical Questions
1. **Does Glama provide hosting infrastructure?**
- Or does it just link to externally hosted servers?
- What infrastructure does Glama use?
2. **How does Docker deployment work?**
- Does Glama build and run Docker containers?
- Or does it just reference Docker images hosted elsewhere?
3. **What are the hosting costs?**
- Is hosting free or paid?
- What are the pricing tiers?
- Are there usage limits?
4. **What are the hosting capabilities?**
- Can it run Java Spring Boot applications?
- What are the resource limits (CPU, memory, storage)?
- Does it support auto-scaling?
5. **How does it compare to Railway/Render?**
- Ease of deployment
- Cost comparison
- Feature comparison
## Verification Steps
### Step 1: Check Glama Documentation
1. Visit [Glama Documentation](https://glama.ai/docs) or similar
2. Look for:
- Hosting/deployment guides
- Infrastructure details
- Pricing information
- Docker deployment instructions
### Step 2: Check Glama Schema
1. Visit [Glama Server Schema](https://glama.ai/mcp/schemas/server.json)
2. Review all available fields
3. Look for hosting-related configuration options
### Step 3: Check Existing MCP Servers on Glama
1. Browse [Glama MCP Directory](https://glama.ai)
2. Check a few MCP servers:
- Do they have Docker images configured?
- What URLs do they use? (Glama-hosted or external?)
- Check their `glama.json` files on GitHub
### Step 4: Contact Glama Support
If documentation is unclear:
- Reach out to Glama support
- Ask about hosting capabilities
- Request pricing information
## Current Hypothesis
Based on available information:
**Hypothesis A: Glama Provides Hosting** ⭐ (More Likely)
- Glama supports Docker image configuration
- Glama provides infrastructure for running MCP servers
- Glama marketplace is integrated with hosting
- **This would make Glama the best option** (hosting + marketplace)
**Hypothesis B: Glama is Directory Only**
- Glama is just a marketplace/directory
- Docker image field is for reference only
- You still need to host elsewhere
- **This would make Railway/Render + Glama the best combo**
## Recommendation
**If Glama Provides Hosting:**
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **Glama becomes the top recommendation**
- Combines hosting + marketplace in one platform
- Docker support for Java Spring Boot
- Built-in discovery and distribution
**If Glama is Directory Only:**
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Railway/Render for hosting
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Glama for marketplace/discovery
- Best of both worlds
## Next Steps
1. ⏳ **Verify Glama's hosting capabilities** (critical)
2. ⏳ Check Glama documentation for deployment guides
3. ⏳ Review pricing if hosting is available
4. ⏳ Compare with Railway/Render if hosting exists
5. ⏳ Update hosting analysis document with findings
## Resources to Check
- [Glama.ai](https://glama.ai) - Main website
- [Glama Server Schema](https://glama.ai/mcp/schemas/server.json) - Schema definition
- [Glama Blog: What is glama.json?](https://glama.ai/blog/2025-07-08-what-is-glamajson) - Blog post
- [Glama MCP Directory](https://glama.ai) - Browse existing servers
## Update Log
- **2026-01-07**: Initial research - Glama appears to support Docker and may provide hosting infrastructure. Needs verification.
