Running WordPress in Docker offers a stable and repeatable local development setup. It eliminates environment-specific issues and simplifies service management. Using Docker alongside Visual Studio Code improves usability, especially for local development and customization.
Ensure the following components are installed:
Begin by creating a dedicated project folder.
mkdir wordpresscd wordpressInside the project directory, create a docker-compose.yml file to define the services for WordPress and its dependencies.
services: db: image: mysql:9.3 volumes: - ./data/mysql:/var/lib/mysql restart: always environment: MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: password MYSQL_DATABASE: wordpress MYSQL_USER: wordpress MYSQL_PASSWORD: wordpress networks: - wpsite
phpmyadmin: depends_on: - db image: phpmyadmin:latest restart: always ports: - '8080:80' environment: PMA_HOST: db MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: password networks: - wpsite
wordpress: depends_on: - db image: wordpress:latest ports: - '8000:80' restart: always volumes: - wordpress_data:/var/www/html - ./wp-content:/var/www/html/wp-content:cached environment: WORDPRESS_DB_HOST: db:3306 WORDPRESS_DB_USER: wordpress WORDPRESS_DB_PASSWORD: wordpress networks: - wpsite
volumes: wordpress_data:
networks: wpsite:To launch your WordPress environment:
docker-compose up -dThis starts the containers in detached mode. The initial setup can take a few minutes as Docker downloads the necessary images.
Visit http://localhost:8000 in your browser to complete the WordPress installation (language, site name, user credentials).
On the first run, complete the WordPress installation in your browser by choosing a language and entering site credentials.
Use the following commands for container control:
Stop
docker-compose downThis stops and removes containers but retains volume data.
Restart
docker-compose up -dTo develop or install custom themes and plugins:
Use Visual Studio Code to modify your WordPress setup:
Docker simplifies local WordPress development by providing a containerized, consistent environment. When paired with Visual Studio Code, it allows efficient file management, rapid customization, and reliable performance across different systems.