Node Exporter Docker Compose Example

Prometheus node-exporter for host metrics.

The compose.yaml

name: node-exporter
services:
  node-exporter:
    image: quay.io/prometheus/node-exporter:v1.8.2
    command: --path.rootfs=/host
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - 127.0.0.1:9100:9100
    volumes:
      - /:/host:ro
    logging:
      driver: json-file
      options:
        max-size: 10m
        max-file: '3'

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

node-exporter — quay.io/prometheus/node-exporter:v1.8.2

Security notes

warning
Sensitive host path bind-mounted
Mount only the specific sub-path you need, read-only (`:ro`) where possible; prefer named volumes.
warning
No healthcheck
Add a `healthcheck:` that probes a readiness endpoint or a CLI check for the service.
warning
Stateful service without a named volume
Mount a named volume at the data path (e.g. `pgdata:/var/lib/postgresql/data`) and declare it under top-level `volumes:`.
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.

Practice in Docker Academy

→ Monitor Containers with Prometheus & Grafana

Related templates

FAQ

How do I run this Node Exporter 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 Node Exporter 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 Node Exporter 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.