Setting Up Filebrowser with Docker Compose¶

Introduction to Filebrowser¶

Filebrowser is a self-hosted file managing interface that allows you to manage files and directories through a web interface. It's a simple and convenient way to access, upload, and manage your files remotely.

Docker Compose Configuration for Filebrowser¶

This Docker Compose setup deploys Filebrowser in a Docker container, providing an easy-to-use web interface for file management.

Docker Compose File (`docker-compose.yml`)¶

version: '3'
services:
  filebrowser:
    image: filebrowser/filebrowser:latest
    container_name: filebrowser
    volumes:
      - /home:/srv #Change to match your directory
      - /home/techdox/docker/filebrowser/filebrowser.db:/database/filebrowser.db #Change to match your directory
      - /home/techdox/docker/filebrowser/settings.json:/config/settings.json #Change to match your directory
    environment:
      - PUID=$(id -u)
      - PGID=$(id -g)
    ports:
      - 8095:80 #Change the port if needed

Key Components of the Configuration¶

Service: Filebrowser¶

Image: filebrowser/filebrowser:latest is the Docker image used for Filebrowser.
Volumes:
/home:/srv: Maps a local directory to the server directory in the container.
/home/techdox/docker/filebrowser/filebrowser.db:/database/filebrowser.db: Persistent storage for Filebrowser's database.
/home/techdox/docker/filebrowser/settings.json:/config/settings.json: Stores configuration settings for Filebrowser.
Environment Variables:
PUID=$(id -u) and PGID=$(id -g): Sets the user and group ID for file permissions.
Ports:
8095:80: Maps port 8095 on the host to port 80 in the container, where Filebrowser's web interface is accessible.

Deploying Filebrowser¶

Create required files before starting

Before running docker compose up -d, you must create the required files manually:

touch filebrowser.db settings.json

Skipping this step causes permission errors when the container starts.

Replace PUID and PGID with numeric values

Shell variable substitution does not work in docker-compose.yml. Replace $(id -u) and $(id -g) with the actual numeric values from your system (commonly 1000 for the first user). Run id $(whoami) to find your values.

Save the Docker Compose configuration in a docker-compose.yml file.
Replace the volume paths with your actual directory paths.
Run docker compose up -d to start Filebrowser in detached mode.
Access Filebrowser by navigating to http://<host-ip>:8095.
Default login is admin admin

Change default credentials immediately

File Browser's default credentials are admin / admin. Change the password immediately after first login via the Settings panel.

Configuring and Using Filebrowser¶

After deployment, use the Filebrowser web interface to manage your files. You can upload, download, and organize files, as well as customize settings according to your needs.

Updating Filebrowser¶

docker compose pull
docker compose up -d

Back up before updating

Your data lives in the filebrowser.db database file and settings.json on the host (e.g. /home/techdox/docker/filebrowser/). Back these up before major version updates.

Youtube Video¶

If there is an issue with this guide or you wish to suggest changes, please raise an issue on GitHub.