Node.js, MongoDB, and Nginx with Docker

Dockerized template for a Node.js API, MongoDB database, and served by a Ngnix reverse proxy with considerations for the acme (letsencrypt) companion for HTTPS.

*This project is by default set up for a development environment and will require some changes for a more production like environment.

Set Up

1. Install docker and docker-compose.

Optional

By default I have set the VIRTUAL_HOST to localhost, so when you run this project you can access the app without having to change anything locally.

I would highly encourage you to read the nginx-proxy repo documentation for more detailed information about setting this up in a more production like environment.

TLDR; To set up this app with a custom domain, follow the steps below.

1. Update the VIRTUAL_HOST in the docker-compose.yml to whatever hostname you want.
   • i.e. somedomain.local
2. Add your chosen hostname to the /etc/hosts file on your local machine, and point it to localhost.
   • e.g. 127.0.0.1 somedomain.local

Development

• For detached mode, run:
• For detached mode, run:

  docker-compose up -d

• For attached mode, run:

  docker-compose up

Since this is a development template, the nodejs container has a linked volume to detect changes and the nodejs container runs the nodemon command for code auto detection and process restart.

If you want to run this in a more production like environment, you will want to remove the volume parameter from the nodejs service in the docker-compose.yaml and change the nodejs service ENVIRONMENT to prod.

Comments

• Look at the Makefile for other useful commands.
• If you have a registered domain, replace VIRTUAL_HOST and localhost to said domain, and add the acme companion for HTTPS.
  • Read the nginx-proxy repo documentation for more information on how to configure HTTPS.