Install with Docker

Tip

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Zammad can be deployed using Docker-Compose. You can even use graphical docker front ends like Portainer.

Hint

We do not provide support in terms of Docker (-Compose) or Portainer specific problems. If you choose to run Zammad via Docker, support is only provided for the Zammad application.

Prerequisites

  • This documentation expects you already have a working Docker Compose environment.

  • Make sure to have at least 4 GB of RAM to run the containers.

  • Adjust your host’s settings to run Elasticsearch properly:

    sysctl -w vm.max_map_count=262144

Deployment with Portainer

The easiest way to get Zammad running is via a graphical docker UI. We recommend Portainer. For installation instructions, check out Portainer’s documentation.

Step 1: Add Stack

In the Portainer GUI (e.g. https://yourdomain.tld:9443), choose your target environment, select Stacks and choose Add stack as you can see in the screenshot below.

Screenshot showing portainer UI with stacks section and highlighted "Add stack" button
Step 2: Build From Repository

Switch to Repository build method and provide the information below:

  • Name: enter a desired name of the stack

  • Repository URL: https://github.com/zammad/zammad-docker-compose

  • Repository reference: refs/heads/master

  • Compose path: docker-compose.yml (default)

In some cases, our default environment is not what a Docker-Compose user is looking for. You can customize the stack using pre-defined scenarios and adjust environment variables. Jump to the the customization section below to find more information.

Screenshot showing stack creation with necessary information
Step 3: Deploy the Stack

Finally, click the Deploy the stack button. The first time, it may take some time until the Docker images are fetched.

After the stack is ready, you can access Zammad via the configured docker host and port, e.g. http://localhost:8080/.

Deployment with Docker-Compose

Step 1: Clone the GitHub Repo
git clone https://github.com/zammad/zammad-docker-compose.git

Make sure to run git pull frequently to fetch updates. Alternatively, you can download the files from the releases page.

Step 2: Adjust Environment as Needed

In some cases, our default environment is not what a docker-compose user is looking for. You can customize the stack using pre-defined scenarios and adjust environment variables. Jump to the customization section below to find more information.

Step 3: Start the stack
cd zammad-docker-compose
docker compose up -d

Optional: Use an additional .yml file to use a pre-defines scenario. Read on in the Customizing the Zammad Stack section.

After the stack is ready, you can access Zammad via the configured docker host and port, e.g. http://localhost:8080/.

Exposing the Stack via HTTPS

To publish a Zammad stack on the internet, it needs be secured via the HTTPS protocol. To achieve that without modifying the Zammad stack, you can:

  • Use a reverse proxy like Nginx Proxy Manager (NPM). It has a GUI that provides an easy Letsencrypt integration.

  • Use a cloudflare tunnel, which provides SSL termination.

Both scenarios are covered in the Docker compose scenarios section.

Customizing the Zammad Stack

The Zammad stack can be customized by loading additional scenario files for common use cases. For example, you can deploy the stack with an included Nginx Proxy Manager (NPM) or with disabled Postgres or Elasticsearch services, in case you already have these services running.

Please see the Docker compose scenarios section.

To adjust the stack and settings, use docker specific environment variables.

How to Run Commands in the Stack

The docker entrypoint script sets up environment variables required by Zammad to function properly. That is why calling rails or rake on the console should be done via one of the following methods:

In your Portainer GUI, go to the container view and select the running rails container from your Zammad stack. Click on the Exec Console icon in the “Quick Actions” column.

In the “Execute” dialog, select the “rails console” entry point as you can see in the screenshot: