MySQL Docker Compose Example

MySQL 8 with a named volume, health check, and a password reference.

The compose.yaml

name: mysql
services:
  db:
    image: mysql:8.4
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      MYSQL_DATABASE: app
      MYSQL_USER: app
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: ${MYSQL_PASSWORD}
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: ${MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD}
    volumes:
      - mysqldata:/var/lib/mysql
    healthcheck:
      test:
        - CMD-SHELL
        - mysqladmin ping -h localhost
      interval: 30s
      timeout: 10s
      retries: 3
      start_period: 20s
    logging:
      driver: json-file
      options:
        max-size: 10m
        max-file: '3'
volumes:
  mysqldata: {}

Start it up

# Validate the configuration (does not start anything):
docker compose -f compose.yaml config

# Pull images and start in the background:
docker compose -f compose.yaml pull
docker compose -f compose.yaml up -d

# Check status and follow logs:
docker compose -f compose.yaml ps
docker compose -f compose.yaml logs -f

# Stop and remove (named volumes are kept):
docker compose -f compose.yaml down

Services

db — mysql:8.4

Security notes

warning
No memory limit
Set a memory limit sized to the workload (e.g. `mem_limit: 512m`).

Open the template in the generator to apply one-click hardening.

Related templates

FAQ

How do I run this MySQL Docker Compose file?

Save it as compose.yaml, then run `docker compose up -d`. Validate first with `docker compose config` and follow logs with `docker compose logs -f`.

Do I need a version field in the MySQL Compose file?

No — modern Docker Compose does not require a top-level version field, and this example does not include one.

How do I customize this MySQL template?

Open it in the free Docker Compose Generator to change images, ports, volumes, networks, environment variables, and health checks visually, then download your compose.yaml.

Independent educational example. "Docker" is a trademark of Docker, Inc. Review and adapt before using in production.