How to Install WordPress Using Docker?

WordPress is one of the most popular content management software (CMS) with a wide range of features and user-friendly interface. However, setting up an safe and isolated environment for developing WordPress websites can initially become challenging. Fortunately, containerization tools exist like Docker, which help to streamline the development, testing, and deployment processes.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what exactly Docker and Docker compose are and how they affect development. Then we’ll go through how to install and deploy a local WordPress using Docker.

What is Docker and Docker Compose?

Docker is a product or system that provides pre-configured, self-contained applications, frameworks, and software stacks, such as WordPress, Golang, or LAMP. Docker offers a solution for a quicker and smoother WordPress setup. Entire Linux distributions can be run in Docker. When deployed, these software packages are referred to as containers. Docker also allows you to create your own containers that include any custom software you’d like.

Docker Compose is a complementary system which helps you link together individual Docker containers so they can work together. The deployment of a WordPress container and another MySQL container that WordPress will use to store its data. Docker Compose will facilitate the networking between them.

Installing WordPress Using Docker

Step 1: Install Docker

Before starting, ensure that you have Docker and Docker Compose installed on your system. Containerized applications require Docker, and Docker Compose is a tool specifically designed to orchestrate multi-container Docker applications.

To get Docker working, it is necessary to add the Docker repository and then install the Docker package. In the terminal, type the following commands:

# sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common

# curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg

# echo "deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null

# sudo apt update

# sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io

Step-2: Install Docker Compose

Run the following commands to install Docker Compose:

# sudo curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/latest/download/

docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

# sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

To check Docker Compose was successfully installed, Run the following command

docker-compose --version

Docker Compose version v2.19.0

Step-3: Set Up a Project Directory

Set up a project directory where you want to set up or organize wordpress and related files To make a new project directory, use the following commands:

mkdir wordpress-project

cd wordpress-project

Step-4: Create a Docker Compose YML file

Docker Compose uses a special instruction file in YAML format. In your project directory, create a YML file called docker-compose.yml. The services and configurations required for your WordPress installation will be defined in this file. Open your text editor and add the following to the docker-compose.yml file:

version: '3'

services:

db:

image: mysql:5.7

volumes:

- db_data:/var/lib/mysql

restart: always

environment:

MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: your_mysql_root_password

MYSQL_DATABASE: wordpress

MYSQL_USER: wordpress

MYSQL_PASSWORD: your_mysql_password

wordpress:

depends_on:

- db

image: wordpress:latest

ports:

- 8000:80

restart: always

environment:

WORDPRESS_DB_HOST: db:3306

WORDPRESS_DB_USER: wordpress

WORDPRESS_DB_PASSWORD: your_mysql_password

volumes:

db_data: {}

Make sure your_mysql_root_password and your_mysql_password are replaced with your desired MySQL root password and WordPress database password, respectively.

Step 5: Start the Docker Containers

Now, start the Docker containers with running the following command:

docker-compose up -d

Docker Compose will start pulling the necessary Docker images, setting up the containers, and configuring the network connections. This process may take some time, depending on the speed of your internet connection.

Step 6: Access Your WordPress

Now, You can access your WordPress site once the containers are up and running. open a web browser and type http://servers-IP:8000 into the URL or address bar. The WordPress setup wizard will appear, which will guide you through the initial configuration, which includes language selection, site title, username, password, and email address.

Step 7: Complete the WordPress Installation

To complete the installation, use the WordPress setup wizard. When you’re finished, you’ll be taken to the WordPress admin dashboard. Now you can start creating or customozing your website by installing themes and plugins and publishing content.

Step 8: Stop and Start Containers

To stop the running containers, use the following command:

docker-compose down

This command will terminate and remove the containers while retaining the data in the database volume.

To restart the containers, go to your project directory and run docker-compose up -d.

Wrapping up

We hope you can install WordPress successfully using Docker. This method creates a flexible and portable environment that allows you to run your WordPress. You can easily manage your WordPress installation by leveraging the power of Docker, ensuring scalability and consistency across different environments. Still if you are facing issues in installing wordpress using docker feel free to contact us. Our expert team members will surely help you and assist you with everything you need.

At SupportFly you’ll get the most reliable and trustworthy team for your Docker consulting needs. By leveraging SupportFly’s Docker Consulting Service, you gain access to expertise, guidance, and tailored solutions that accelerate your containerization journey. You can overcome challenges more effectively, optimize performance and security, and achieve a successful implementation of Docker technology in your organization.