continuwuity/docs/deploying/docker.mdx

# Continuwuity for Docker

## Preparation

### Choose an image

The following OCI images are available for Continuwuity:

| Registry         | Image                                                                                        | Notes                                                                                                     |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Forgejo Registry | [https://forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/continuwuity:**latest**][latest]                 | Latest tagged release. (recommended)                                                                      |
| Forgejo Registry | [https://forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/continuwuity:**main**][main]                     | Latest `main` branch commit.                                                                              |
| Forgejo Registry | [https://forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/continuwuity:**latest-maxperf**][latest-maxperf] | Latest tagged release, [performance optimised version](./generic.mdx#performance-optimised-builds).       |
| Forgejo Registry | [https://forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/continuwuity:**main-maxperf**][main-maxperf]     | Latest `main` branch commit, [performance optimised version](./generic.mdx#performance-optimised-builds). |

[latest]: https://forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/-/packages/container/continuwuity/latest
[main]: https://forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/-/packages/container/continuwuity/main
[latest-maxperf]: https://forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/-/packages/container/continuwuity/latest-maxperf
[main-maxperf]: https://forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/-/packages/container/continuwuity/main-maxperf

If you want a specific version or commit hash, you can browse for them [here][oci-all-versions].

Images are also mirrored to these locations automatically, on a schedule:

- `ghcr.io/continuwuity/continuwuity` ([Github Registry][ghcr-io])
- `docker.io/jadedblueeyes/continuwuity` ([Docker Hub][docker-hub])
- `registry.gitlab.com/continuwuity/continuwuity` ([Gitlab Registry][gitlab-registry])
- `git.nexy7574.co.uk/mirrored/continuwuity` ([Nexy's forge][nexy-forge]. Releases only, no `main` tags)

[oci-all-versions]: https://forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/-/packages/container/continuwuity/versions
[ghcr-io]: https://github.com/continuwuity/continuwuity/pkgs/container/continuwuity/versions?filters%5Bversion_type%5D=tagged
[docker-hub]: https://hub.docker.com/r/jadedblueeyes/continuwuity/
[gitlab-registry]: https://gitlab.com/continuwuity/continuwuity/container_registry/8871720
[nexy-forge]: https://git.nexy7574.co.uk/mirrored/-/packages/container/continuwuity/versions

### Prerequisites

Continuwuity requires HTTPS for Matrix federation. You'll need:

- A domain name pointing to your server's IP address - we will be using `example.com` in this guide.
- A reverse proxy with SSL/TLS certificates (Traefik, Caddy, nginx, etc.) - see [Docker Compose](#docker-compose) for complete examples.
- Port `:443` and `:8448` opened on your server's firewall.

:::tip Alternative setups
For other deployment options such as serving `.well-known` files, consult the [Delegation/Split-domain](../advanced/delegation) page.
:::

## Docker - Quick Run

Get a working Continuwuity server with an admin user in four steps:

### Environment Variables

- `CONTINUWUITY_SERVER_NAME` - Your Matrix server's domain name
- `CONTINUWUITY_DATABASE_PATH` - Where to store your database (must match the volume mount)
- `CONTINUWUITY_ADDRESS` - Bind address (use `0.0.0.0` to listen on all interfaces)

For a list of all config options, see the [reference configuration](../reference/config) page

### 1. Pull the image

```bash
docker pull forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/continuwuity:latest
```

### 2. Start the server with initial admin user

```bash
docker run -d \
  -p 6167:6167 \
  -v continuwuity_db:/var/lib/continuwuity \
  -e CONTINUWUITY_SERVER_NAME="matrix.example.com" \
  -e CONTINUWUITY_DATABASE_PATH="/var/lib/continuwuity" \
  -e CONTINUWUITY_ADDRESS="0.0.0.0" \
  -e CONTINUWUITY_ALLOW_REGISTRATION="false" \
  --name continuwuity \
  forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/continuwuity:latest \
  /sbin/conduwuit --execute "users create-user admin"
```

Replace `matrix.example.com` with your actual server name and `admin` with
your preferred username.

### 3. Get your admin password

```bash
docker logs continuwuity 2>&1 | grep "Created user"
```

You'll see output like:

```
Created user with user_id: @admin:matrix.example.com and password: `[auto-generated-password]`
```

### 4. Configure your reverse proxy

Configure your reverse proxy to forward HTTPS traffic to Continuwuity. See
[Docker Compose](#docker-compose) for examples.

Once configured, log in with any Matrix client using `@admin:matrix.example.com`
and the generated password. You'll automatically be invited to the admin room
where you can manage your server.

## Docker Compose

Docker Compose is the recommended deployment method. These examples include
reverse proxy configurations for Matrix federation.

This routes your Matrix domain and well-known paths to Continuwuity.

### Creating Your First Admin User

Add the `--execute` command to create an admin user on first startup. In your
compose file, add under the `continuwuity` service:

```yaml
services:
    continuwuity:
        image: forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/continuwuity:latest
        command: /sbin/conduwuit --execute "users create-user admin"
        # ... rest of configuration
```

Then retrieve the auto-generated password:

```bash
docker compose logs continuwuity | grep "Created user"
```

### Choose Your Reverse Proxy

Select the compose file that matches your setup:

:::note DNS Performance
Docker's default DNS resolver can cause performance issues with Matrix
federation. If you experience slow federation or DNS timeouts, you may need to
use your host's DNS resolver instead. Add this volume mount to the
`continuwuity` service:

```yaml
volumes:
  - /etc/resolv.conf:/etc/resolv.conf:ro
```

See [Troubleshooting - DNS Issues](../troubleshooting.mdx#potential-dns-issues-when-using-docker)
for more details and alternative solutions.
:::

#### With Caddy (using Caddyfile)

<details>
<summary>docker-compose.with-caddy.yml</summary>

```yaml file="./docker-compose.with-caddy.yml"

```

</details>

#### With Caddy (using labels)

<details>
<summary>docker-compose.with-caddy-labels.yml</summary>

```yaml file="./docker-compose.with-caddy-labels.yml"

```

</details>

#### For existing Traefik setup

<details>
<summary>docker-compose.for-traefik.yml</summary>

```yaml file="./docker-compose.for-traefik.yml"

```

</details>

#### With Traefik included

<details>
<summary>docker-compose.with-traefik.yml</summary>

```yaml file="./docker-compose.with-traefik.yml"

```

</details>

#### For other reverse proxies

<details>
<summary>docker-compose.yml</summary>

```yaml file="./docker-compose.yml"

```

You will then need to point your reverse proxy towards Continuwuity at `127.0.0.1:8008`

</details>

#### Override file for customisation

<details>
<summary>docker-compose.override.yml</summary>

```yaml file="./docker-compose.override.yml"

```

</details>

### Starting Your Server

1. Choose your compose file and rename it to `docker-compose.yml`
2. If using the override file, rename it to `docker-compose.override.yml` and
   edit your values
3. Start the server:

```bash
docker compose up -d
```

See the [generic deployment guide](generic.mdx) for more deployment options.

## (Optional) Building Custom Images

For information on building your own Continuwuity Docker images, see the
[Building Docker Images](../development/index.mdx#building-docker-images)
section in the development documentation.

## Next steps

- To set up Audio/Video communication, see the [Calls](../calls.mdx) page.