Private browser-based generator
Docker Compose Starter Generator
Create a conservative Compose starting point with persistent volumes, health checks, restart policies and secrets kept out of the YAML.
Before the first start
Save the output as compose.yaml. If PostgreSQL is selected, create a neighboring .env file containing a long unique value such as POSTGRES_PASSWORD=replace-with-a-strong-secret. Protect that file and never commit it to a public repository.
Validate syntax and substitutions with docker compose config, then start with docker compose up -d. Inspect docker compose ps and service logs until every selected health check passes. Before that, make sure Docker Desktop is actually running after reboot — on Windows hosts with WSL2 backend this is a common failure point we documented in the Docker auto-start guide.
What this starter deliberately does
- Uses named volumes for PostgreSQL and Redis data.
- Does not publish database or Redis ports to the LAN.
- Adds
restart: unless-stoppedand simple health checks. - Uses explicit major-version image tags rather than
latest.
A health check is not a backup, and a generated file is not a production security review. Pin exact versions after testing, document upgrades, restrict the host firewall and verify restores.
Why this is better than copying a random compose file
Most compose examples you find in forums expose database ports to the host, hardcode passwords in the YAML, or use latest tags that silently break six months later. We built this generator after running measured Docker benchmarks on the EQi12 — we saw real-world failures from un-pinned images and missing restart policies. The starter you get here defaults to the conservative choices we validated.
Production checklist (before exposing to LAN)
- Run
docker compose configand confirm no substituted values are empty. - Verify
docker compose psshows all serviceshealthyfor at least 30 minutes. - Restart the host and confirm Docker Desktop, WSL2, and the compose stack all come back in the correct order.
- Test a backup + restore cycle. For PostgreSQL that means
docker compose exec postgres pg_dump -U appinto a file, then a fresh restore into a new database. - Check that host firewall only allows inbound on the Nginx port, never PostgreSQL or Redis.
Continue with measured guidance
Our Docker Compose tutorial walks through the complete deployment workflow, the EQi12 Windows home-server build covers the host workflow, while the Docker benchmark explains what we measured with Nginx, PostgreSQL and Redis.
Frequently asked questions
Is the generated Compose file production-ready?
It is a conservative starting point, not a production configuration. It uses named volumes, health checks, restart policies and environment-variable secrets. Pin exact image versions, review firewall rules and test backups before relying on it for critical data.
Why are database ports not exposed to the host?
Exposing PostgreSQL or Redis to the LAN means any device can attempt connections. Keeping them internal to the Compose network is safer. Access them through the Nginx reverse proxy or a controlled tunnel instead.
How do I back up the Docker volumes?
Use docker compose exec postgres pg_dump for PostgreSQL and docker compose exec redis redis-cli BGSAVE followed by docker cp for Redis. Store backups outside the container and test restoration regularly. See the Docker Compose tutorial for the full workflow.
What image tags should I use?
This generator uses explicit major-version tags (e.g., postgres:17-alpine) instead of latest. This prevents unexpected breaking changes on docker compose pull. Pin to exact patch versions for production stability.
Can I add more services to the generated file?
Yes. Add services following the same pattern: image, restart policy, volumes, health check. Keep database ports internal, use named volumes for persistent data, and store secrets in a .env file that is never committed to version control.
How do I make Docker start automatically after a Windows reboot?
On Windows with Docker Desktop, enable "Start Docker Desktop when you log in" in settings. For WSL2 backend, also configure auto-start for the WSL distribution. See the Docker auto-start guide for the complete procedure.