> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.prestd.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.prestd.com/get-prest/distribution.md).

# Distribution channels

Ways to install **pREST** (`prestd`) and the **pREST MCP Adapter** (`prest-mcp`). Pick the channel that matches your platform and workflow.

Docs site: <https://docs.prestd.com/>

***

## Which method?

| Goal                            | Recommended                                                                                                                 |
| ------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Try pREST quickly               | [Docker](/deployment/deploying-with-docker.md)                                                                              |
| macOS daily driver for `prestd` | [Homebrew core](/get-prest/start-with-homebrew.md) (`brew install prestd`)                                                  |
| Connect Cursor / Claude to MCP  | [Homebrew tap](/get-prest/start-with-homebrew.md) (`brew install prest/tap/prest-mcp`) or [Go](/ai/install-prest-mcp.md#go) |
| Pin a release binary            | [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/prest/prest/releases)                                                                  |
| Build from source               | [Start with Golang](/get-prest/start-with-golang.md)                                                                        |
| MCP via OCI                     | `ghcr.io/prest/prest-mcp-adapter:0.1.3`                                                                                     |

MCP requires **pREST v2.1.0+**. Overview: [AI and MCP](/ai.md).

***

## pREST server (`prestd`)

| Channel  | How                                                                                                             |
| -------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Docker   | `prest/prest:v2.4.0` — [Deploying with Docker](/deployment/deploying-with-docker.md)                            |
| Homebrew | `brew install prestd` — [Start with Homebrew](/get-prest/start-with-homebrew.md)                                |
| Go       | `go install github.com/prest/prest/v2/cmd/prestd@v2.4.0` — [Start with Golang](/get-prest/start-with-golang.md) |
| Binaries | [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/prest/prest/releases/tag/v2.4.0)                                           |

***

## pREST MCP Adapter (`prest-mcp`)

Stdio ↔ HTTP bridge for `/_mcp`. Transport only — no schema/SQL/tools in the adapter.

| Channel      | How                                                                                                           |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Homebrew     | `brew install prest/tap/prest-mcp` — [Homebrew tutorial](/postgres-to-ai-agent/install-prest-mcp-homebrew.md) |
| Go           | `go install github.com/prest/prest-mcp-adapter/cmd/prest-mcp@latest`                                          |
| Docker / OCI | `docker pull ghcr.io/prest/prest-mcp-adapter:0.1.3`                                                           |
| MCP Registry | Package name `io.github.prest/prest`                                                                          |

Full guide: [Install pREST MCP Adapter](/ai/install-prest-mcp.md).

***

## Agent plugins (optional)

Skills and examples for AI agents — separate from the MCP binary:

| Plugin         | Platform           | Docs                                               |
| -------------- | ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- |
| prest-cursor   | Cursor             | [pREST for Cursor plugin](/ai/prest-cursor.md)     |
| prest-openclaw | OpenClaw / ClawHub | [pREST for OpenClaw plugin](/ai/prest-openclaw.md) |

***

## Related documentation

* [Get pREST](/get-prest.md)
* [Start with Homebrew](/get-prest/start-with-homebrew.md)
* [MCP over HTTP](/get-started/mcp-over-http.md)
* [pREST Studio](/get-started/prest-studio.md)
* [v2.4.0 release notes](/releases/v2.4.0.md)