# How to install an isolated WordPress development environment with Docker

More than [40% of all sites run the WordPress Content Management System](https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/cm-wordpress). As a web developer, you’re almost certain to have encountered it.

> *WordPress requires Apache, PHP, MySQL, and the WordPress source code. A lot of dependencies are required for your development environment.*

You *could* choose to install the applications:

1.  directly on your local PC,
2.  using an all-in-one package such as [XAMPP](https://www.apachefriends.org/), or
3.  within a Virtual Machine.

These options take time and there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to match the versions of each dependency used on your live server. You may also encounter issues running two or more sites, especially if you require different editions of PHP or MySQL.

### Install WordPress with Docker

Docker solves WordPress woes. It can:

*   install all dependencies in minutes on any OS
*   launch older editions of MySQL 5 preferred by the CMS
*   run WordPress quickly — *faster than native Windows*
*   permit local file editing using your preferred tools, and
*   create a fully-isolated development environment for each site.

Make sure you have [Docker and Docker Compose installed](https://dockerwebdev.com/tutorials/install-docker/) then create a new project directory, e.g.

mkdir wpsite  
cd wpsite

Create a new file named `docker-compose.yml` with the following content:

version: '3'

services:

mysql:  
    image: mysql:5  
    container\_name: mysql  
    environment:  
      - MYSQL\_DATABASE=wpdb  
      - MYSQL\_USER=wpuser  
      - MYSQL\_PASSWORD=wpsecret  
      - MYSQL\_ROOT\_PASSWORD=mysecret  
    volumes:  
      - wpdata:/var/lib/mysql  
    ports:  
      - "3306:3306"  
    networks:  
      - wpnet  
    restart: on-failure

wordpress:  
    image: wordpress  
    container\_name: wordpress  
    depends\_on:  
      - mysql  
    environment:  
      - WORDPRESS\_DB\_HOST=mysql  
      - WORDPRESS\_DB\_NAME=wpdb  
      - WORDPRESS\_DB\_USER=wpuser  
      - WORDPRESS\_DB\_PASSWORD=wpsecret  
    volumes:  
      - wpfiles:/var/www/html  
      - ./wp-content:/var/www/html/wp-content  
    ports:  
      - "8001:80"  
    networks:  
      - wpnet  
    restart: on-failure

volumes:  
  wpdata:  
  wpfiles:

networks:  
  wpnet:

*(The tabs and spacing is important. Port* `*8001*` *can be changed if it conflicts with another application.)*

Now run `docker-compose up` from your terminal to launch WordPress. It will take several minutes on the first run since all dependencies are downloaded and initialized.

A new `wp-content` sub-directory will appear in your project folder. This contains the WordPress theme and plugin code you can edit and test. Those using Linux, macOS, and Windows WSL2 will find it's been created by the `root` user. Grant read and write privileges to you and WordPress by running this command in another terminal:

sudo chmod 777 -R wp-content

Open [http://localhost:8001/](http://localhost:8001/) in your browser and follow the WordPress installation process:

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1660399146229/DmuG8Ld4V.png)

WordPress installation screen

You will then be prompted to log on at [http://localhost:8001/wp-admin](http://localhost:8001/wp-admin) using the ID and password you chose during installation:

WordPress dashboard

You can now create content and edit themes as you would do for any other WordPress installation.

### Back-up WordPress data

Code in your `wp-content` sub-directory can be backed-up or added to version control.

WordPress database data is stored in a Docker volume named `wpdata` mounted in the `mysql` container. You can export the data to a file using the WordPress **Export** option in the **Tools** menu.

Alternatively, you can back-up the data using [mysqldump](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/mysqldump.html). First, find the ID Docker Compose assigned to the MySQL container:

docker container ls

A name similar to `wpsite_mysql` should appear in the list. Use this in place of `<ID>` in the following Linux/macOS command run from another terminal:

docker exec <ID> /usr/bin/mysqldump -u root -pmysecret mydb > backup.sql

The equivalent command on Windows PowerShell:

```
docker exec <ID> /usr/bin/mysqldump -u root -pmysecret -r mydb | Set-Content backup.sql
```

The `root` user and `mysecret` password will need to be changed if you used different credentials in the `docker-compose.yml` file.

### Shutdown WordPress

To shutdown WordPress, enter `docker-compose down` in another terminal window. Starting again with `docker-compose up` will be almost instantaneous and the application will be in the same state you left it.

> [*“Docker for Web Developers”*](https://dockerwebdev.com/) *provides futher information about running WordPress with Docker and explains how to add and develop your own custom theme.*

Do you want an easy-to-follow course which demonstrates how to use Docker and create practical web development environments on your Windows, macOS, or Linux PC?

[***Buy the “Docker for Web Developers” book & video course…***](https://dockerwebdev.com/)

*Originally published at* [*https://dockerwebdev.com*](https://dockerwebdev.com/tutorials/run-wordpress-with-docker/) *on April 13, 2021.*