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WordPress Docker Setup

This repository contains a Docker Compose configuration for running WordPress with MySQL on a VPS. The setup includes:

  • WordPress Service: WordPress image running on Apache
  • Purpose: Provide a simple, reproducible WordPress deployment that can be quickly set up on any VPS with Docker installed.

Table of Contents​

Quickstart​

Prerequisites:​

You have already Docker and Docker Compose installed.

1. Clone or copy the repository to your VPS​

git clone -b feature/wordpress-docker-setup git@github.com:Ozinho78/wordpress.git
cd wordpress

2. Create environment file and set passwords​

cp .env.example .env
nano .env

[!IMPORTANT]
Set secure passwords for these required variables:

  • MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: MySQL root password (min. 16 characters)
  • MYSQL_PASSWORD: WordPress database user password (min. 16 characters)

Use strong, unique passwords with mixed case, numbers, and special characters.

Example:

MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=X9$kL2#mP8qR4vN7wZ3@hG5jB6
MYSQL_PASSWORD=Q4#nC8$tY2pL9wM6@rD3xF7vH5

3. Start WordPress​

docker compose up -d

4. Access WordPress​

http://<YOUR_VPS_IP>:8080

WordPress will be available on port 8080. Complete the installation through the web interface.

Usage​

Prerequisites​

Your VPS needs:

  • Ubuntu 20.04 or newer (or similar Linux distribution)
  • Minimum 1GB RAM
  • Minimum 2GB free disk space
  • Port 8080 available
  • Internet connection

Installation Steps​

Step 1: Install Docker​

If Docker is not installed on your VPS:

Update package index​

sudo apt update

Install Docker​

sudo apt install -y docker.io

Install Docker Compose plugin​

sudo apt install -y docker-compose-plugin

Add your user to the docker group​

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

Logout and login again for group changes to take effect​

exit

After logging back in, verify the installation:

docker --version
docker compose version

Step 2: Prepare Project Files​

Copy the project files to your VPS. You can use git clone, scp, or any other method:

Example with git​

git clone <repository-url>
cd <repository-directory>

Or create directory and copy files manually​

mkdir wordpress-docker
cd wordpress-docker

Copy docker-compose.yaml, .env.example, .gitignore here​

Step 3: Configure Environment Variables​

Create your .env file from the example:​

cp .env.example .env

Edit the .env file and set secure passwords:​

nano .env

Change these values:

  • MYSQL_PASSWORD: Set a strong password for the WordPress database user
  • MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: Set a strong root password for MySQL

Example:

MYSQL_DATABASE=wordpress
MYSQL_USER=wpuser
MYSQL_PASSWORD=MyS3cur3P@ssw0rd!
MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=R00tP@ssw0rd!Str0ng

WORDPRESS_TABLE_PREFIX=wp_
WORDPRESS_DEBUG=0

Important: Use strong, unique passwords. Never commit the .env file to git.

Step 4: Deploy WordPress​

Start the Docker containers:​

docker compose up -d

This command will:

  • Download the WordPress and MySQL images (first time only)
  • Create the network and volumes
  • Start both containers in the background

Check if containers are running:​

docker compose ps

You should see both wordpress_app and wordpress_db containers in "Up" status.

Step 5: Access WordPress​

Open your browser and navigate to:

http://<YOUR_VPS_IP>:8080

Replace YOUR_VPS_IP with your actual VPS IP address.

Follow the WordPress installation wizard:

  1. Select your language
  2. Enter site title, admin username, and password
  3. Enter your email address
  4. Click "Install WordPress"

Configuration​

Changing the Port​

To use a different port than 8080, edit docker-compose.yaml:

wordpress:
  ports:
    - "9090:80"  # Change 9090 to your desired port

Then restart:

docker compose down
docker compose up -d

Database Configuration​

You can modify database settings in the .env file:

# Change database name
MYSQL_DATABASE=my_custom_db

# Change database user
MYSQL_USER=my_db_user

# Change table prefix (before first installation only)
WORDPRESS_TABLE_PREFIX=mysite_

After changing .env, restart the containers:

docker compose down
docker compose up -d

Debug Mode​

To enable WordPress debug mode for troubleshooting:

WORDPRESS_DEBUG=1

Restart containers to apply changes.

Managing the Application​

View Logs​

To see what's happening in the containers:

All logs​

docker compose logs

Follow logs in real-time​

docker compose logs -f

Logs for specific service​

docker compose logs wordpress
docker compose logs db

Stop WordPress​

docker compose stop

This stops the containers but preserves all data.

Start Stopped Containers​

docker compose start

Restart Containers​

docker compose restart

Stop and Remove Containers​

docker compose down

This removes containers but keeps your data in volumes.

Remove Everything Including Data​

Warning: This deletes all WordPress content and database data.

docker compose down -v

Update WordPress and MySQL​

To update to the latest versions:

docker compose pull
docker compose up -d

Project Structure​

wordpress-docker/
├── docker-compose.yaml    # Main Docker Compose configuration
├── .env                   # Environment variables (create from .env.example)
├── .env.example           # Template for environment variables
├── .gitignore             # Git ignore rules
└── README.md              # This file

Files to commit to git:

  • docker-compose.yaml
  • .env.example
  • .gitignore
  • README.md

Files to NEVER commit to git:

  • .env (contains passwords)

Troubleshooting​

Containers won't start:

Check logs​

docker compose logs

Check if port 8080 is already in use​

sudo netstat -tulpn | grep 8080

Clean up unused Docker resources​

docker system prune

For more help, check the logs:​

docker compose logs -f