Running WordPress with Docker

Running WordPress with Docker lets you create an isolated environment where your site, database, and server run in containers. This makes development easier, more consistent, and more portable across machines — without worrying about local setup differences.

This guide explains what Docker is, why use it with WordPress, and how to set it up from scratch.

What Is Docker?

Docker is a platform that runs applications in lightweight, isolated containers. Containers package everything an app needs — code, server, database, and dependencies — so it runs the same everywhere.

Benefits of Docker:

✔ Works the same on every machine
✔ Easy to replicate environments
✔ Keeps your system clean
✔ Great for development and testing

Why Use Docker for WordPress?

Using Docker for WordPress gives you:

✔ Isolated environment without installing PHP/MySQL locally
✔ Easy setup and teardown
✔ Consistent environments for teams
✔ Faster development workflow
✔ Ability to test plugins/themes safely

With Docker, you can run WordPress on any system that supports Docker — Windows, macOS, or Linux.

What You’ll Need

Before setting up:

✔ Docker Engine installed
✔ Docker Compose installed
✔ Basic knowledge of terminal/command line
✔ WordPress site code or plan to create one

You can install Docker Desktop on Windows or macOS, or Docker Engine on Linux.

Step-by-Step Docker WordPress Setup

Let’s walk through setting up a development WordPress site using Docker Compose.

Step 1 — Create a Project Folder

Create a new folder for your project:

mkdir my-wordpress
cd my-wordpress

                        
                    

Step 2 — Create a docker-compose.yml File

Inside the folder, create a file named:

docker-compose.yml

                        
                    

Put this content inside:

version: '3.8'

services:
  wordpress:
    image: wordpress:latest
    ports:
      - "8000:80"
    environment:
      WORDPRESS_DB_HOST: db
      WORDPRESS_DB_USER: user
      WORDPRESS_DB_PASSWORD: password
      WORDPRESS_DB_NAME: wordpress
    volumes:
      - ./wp-data:/var/www/html

  db:
    image: mysql:5.7
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: rootpassword
      MYSQL_DATABASE: wordpress
      MYSQL_USER: user
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: password
    volumes:
      - db-data:/var/lib/mysql

volumes:
  db-data:
  wp-data:

                        
                    

This file defines two services:

✔ wordpress (your WordPress container)

✔ db (MySQL database container)

Step 3 — Start Docker Containers

Run this command inside your project folder:

docker compose up -d

                        
                    

Docker will download the WordPress and MySQL images, create containers, and start them.

Step 4 — Open WordPress Setup

Once the containers are running, open your browser and visit:

http://localhost:8000

                        
                    

You’ll see the WordPress installation screen. Choose your language, enter site title, admin user, password, and email — just like a normal WordPress installation.

What Each Part Does

📌 Volumes

Volumes like wp-data and db-data store the WordPress files and database outside the container so your data isn’t lost when containers restart.

📌 Environment Variables

These settings tell WordPress and MySQL where to connect and what credentials to use.

📌 Ports

Port 8000 on your computer maps to port 80 inside the WordPress container.

Stop & Remove Containers

When you’re done:

docker compose down

                        
                    

This stops and removes containers but keeps your volumes (data) safe.

If you also want to delete volumes:

docker compose down --volumes

                        
                    

Useful Docker Commands

Tips for Working with Docker & WordPress

✔ Use a .env file for sensitive passwords instead of hard-coding

✔ Mount extra volumes for plugins/themes in development

✔ Use Docker networks to connect more services

✔ Backup your volumes regularly

Docker makes development workflows scalable and organized.

For Support

For any questions or technical assistance, contact our 24/7 support through Live Chat, support tickets, or our official social media pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is Docker?

Docker is a platform that runs applications inside isolated containers, bundling all dependencies and configurations.

Q2. Do I need Docker for production WordPress sites?

Docker is mostly used for development, but advanced setups can use it in production with orchestration tools.

Q3. Why use Docker Compose?

Docker Compose lets you define multi-container applications (like WordPress + database) in one file.

Q4. How do I access my MySQL database inside Docker?

Use the MySQL container name and credentials defined in your docker-compose.yml file.

Q5. Is data lost when I delete the containers?

No — data is stored in volumes (wp-data, db-data) and persists even if containers are removed.