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[New] Introducing Duplicator’s Sleek Redesign: New Look, Same Great Features
Joella Dunn
Joella Dunn
John Turner
John Turner
Docker is revolutionizing the way developers work.
It packages up your entire WordPress site — the code, database, everything — into a neat, portable container. This means you can move your site between different environments effortlessly, without compatibility headaches.
In this beginner-friendly tutorial, we’ll show you exactly how to install and set up WordPress using Docker.
We’ll break down each step clearly, so you can follow along even if you’re new to the world of containers. Get ready to experience WordPress development in a whole new light!
Docker is an open-source containerization platform that lets you create isolated environments for your applications. These environments (called containers) are consistent and portable, ensuring that your WordPress site runs smoothly wherever it’s deployed.
Imagine you have a fleet of ships (your applications) that need to transport goods (your code) to different countries (web servers or environments). Each country has its own rules and regulations, which can make shipping a logistical nightmare.
Docker acts like those standard shipping containers you see on cargo ships. It packages your application and all its dependencies into a self-contained unit. This container can then be easily shipped and run on any system that supports Docker, regardless of the underlying operating system.
Okay, Docker sounds cool, but why should you even bother using it for WordPress?
Docker makes local WordPress development significantly smoother and more efficient. Normally, you’d have to install a LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP). You’ll be stuck with this web development environment unless you want to install a completely different one.
With Docker, your site runs the same way even if you have to move it to a different operating system. Docker containers are portable and you won’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
You can say goodbye to the days of spending hours configuring servers and resolving dependencies. Docker streamlines the process, letting you get your WordPress site up and running in minutes. You can create new containers for new development sites very quickly.
Docker containers use fewer resources compared to traditional virtual machines. You can build multiple testing environments on your computer without slowing it down.
However, you’ll need to be comfortable with using the command line to read and execute commands.
Ready to experience Docker firsthand? Let’s walk through the WordPress installation process on Docker.
Don’t worry, we’ll guide you through each step, so you can easily follow along.
Before we can dive into the world of containers, you need to install Docker on your system. We’ll be installing Docker Engine, which is used to build and run Docker containers.
The good news is, Docker is available for all major operating systems. I’ll show you how to set it up on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
If you’re using a Mac, make sure it meets the following requirements:
Then, download Docker Desktop for Mac. There are different versions based on your computer, so make sure you use the right one.
Double-click on the Docker.dmg file once it downloads. Drag and drop the Docker icon into your Applications folder.
Open Docker Desktop from your Applications folder. Follow any prompts to authorize the installation. You’ll know it’s running when you see the Docker icon in your menu bar.
For Windows users, make sure your computer meets the following requirements:
After this, visit the official Docker Desktop for Windows download page. Download the correct version for your computer.
Open the downloaded .exe file and follow the on-screen instructions. Docker Desktop will automatically be installed at C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker.
You’ll either use WSL 2 or Hyper-V. Select the right one based on the backend you chose. If your computer only supports one, there will be only one option available.
After installation, you’ll have to close Docker and restart your computer. Afterward, you’ll see the Docker icon in your system tray.
Docker can be installed on all Linux installations. All you’ll need to do is open a terminal and run this command:
curl -L get.docker.com | bashTo make sure it was installed properly, run this command:
sudo docker run hello-worldYou’ll get a success message.
If you have CentOS, Debian, or Fedora, don’t use these steps. Docker has different installation guides for other Linux distributions.
Docker Compose allows you to manage multi-container applications. In our case, we’ll use it to set up a new container for WordPress.
First, open the command line for your operating system. Use this command to run Docker Compose and make sure it’s working:
docker compose versionEnter this command to create a new directory called wordpress-local:
mkdir wordpress-local && cd wordpress-localNext, open your favorite text editor. Create a new file and name it docker-compose.yml. Save it to the new project directory.
Paste this code into the YAML file to install the WordPress content management system:
version: '3.1'
services:
wordpress:
image: wordpress
restart: always
ports:
- 8080:80
environment:
WORDPRESS_DB_HOST: db
WORDPRESS_DB_USER: exampleuser
WORDPRESS_DB_PASSWORD: examplepass
WORDPRESS_DB_NAME: exampledb
volumes:
- wordpress:/var/www/html
db:
image: mysql:8.0
restart: always
environment:
MYSQL_DATABASE: exampledb
MYSQL_USER: exampleuser
MYSQL_PASSWORD: examplepass
MYSQL_RANDOM_ROOT_PASSWORD: '1'
volumes:
- db:/var/lib/mysql
volumes:
wordpress:
db:Now that you have the Docker Compose file, use this command to start the containers:
docker compose up -dThis command will download the necessary Docker images from Docker Hub, which is a public registry. It will give you key folders like wp-content and wp-admin.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up a WordPress container. Now, let’s move on to the final steps.
Your WordPress Docker containers are up and running! Now it’s time to finish the WordPress setup.
Open your favorite web browser and navigate to http://localhost:8080 or http://host-ip:8080
If you’re running Docker on a remote server, you’ll need to use the server’s IP address to access the site. For example, if your server’s IP address is 192.168.1.100, you would search for http://192.168.1.100:8080.
Follow the on-screen prompts to configure your WordPress website. You’ll need to choose your preferred language for the WordPress dashboard and interface.
Enter a title for your site, administrator username, and password. Be sure to choose a strong password for security.
Enter your email address. WordPress will use this address to send important notifications. You can also decide whether you want your site to be visible to search engines.
Lastly, hit Install WordPress. Use your new login credentials to access your WordPress dashboard.
To open phpMyAdmin, add this code to your docker-compose.yml file:
phpmyadmin:
image: phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin
restart: always
links:
- db:mysql
ports:
- 8081:80
environment:
MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: *MySQL password*Congratulations! You’re now running WordPress on Docker.
To Dockerize an existing WordPress site, install WordPress in Docker. Then, install a migration plugin like Duplicator Pro. Create a backup of the existing site and import it into the new site with the Import Backups page.
Duplicator will replace the new WordPress Docker site with your existing data. You can now manage your WordPress site in Docker.
When you use a VM for WordPress, you’re essentially creating a whole new computer inside your existing one. This virtual computer runs its own operating system (like Windows or Linux) completely separate from your main system.
Docker takes a different approach. Instead of creating an entire virtual machine, it packages your application (WordPress, in this case) and all its dependencies into a self-contained unit called a container. This container shares the resources of your host operating system, making it much more lightweight and efficient than a VM.
For most WordPress users, Docker offers a more streamlined and developer-friendly approach. However, VMs might be preferable if you need absolute isolation or want complete control over the operating system.
Updating WordPress in Docker is simpler than you might think! First, pull the latest WordPress image from Docker Hub:
docker-compose pull wordpress
Next, recreate your WordPress container to apply the update:
docker-compose up -d --build wordpress
This command will rebuild the WordPress container using the latest image and restart it.
To access your WordPress files with Docker, use the docker exec command in your project folder:
docker compose exec wordpress <some command>
By now, you’ve installed a local WordPress site on Docker!
While you’re here, you may like these extra WordPress guides:
Ready to take your WordPress deployments to the next level? Duplicator Pro streamlines the process of migrating, cloning, and backing up your WordPress sites!
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