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Simplify local application deployment with Coolify — The Kubernetes Alternative?

I've got loads of apps in Python and JavaScript running in containers! I find it really helpful for keeping my host clean and separate from my development. But we all know that managing multiple Python and JavaScript applications can be a bit of a challenge, especially when it comes to ports and address mapping in Docker.

Why?
Forwarding specific ports and mapping them to localhost in Docker can quickly become a bit of a headache. While Kubernetes is a great solution for orchestrating containers (and exposing them using Services), there's another exciting option: Coolify.

In a nutshell, Coolify is similar to Vercel, but can be run entirely on your local machine, making it an attractive solution for security-conscious developers.

Outline

  1. Why run Coolify in Docker?
  2. Setting up Docker-in-Docker for Coolify
  3. Install Coolify
  4. Deploy applications using Coolify
    • Deploying a public GitHub repository
    • Deploy a private GitHub repository using deployment keys
  5. Accessing deployed applications
  6. Wrap-up

Why run Coolify in Docker

I prefer to isolate all applications in containers to keep my host machine clean and secure. Typically, my host only runs office applications, Docker and VSCode. This approach keeps the environment clean and improves security.

However, deploying an application that needs to create its own containers can be challenging when you run it directly on the host (my Mac). To sandbox this Docker-based application, I decided to deploy Coolify in a Docker-in-Docker Container.

You can read more about Docker in Docker here .

After some trial and error, I managed to get it up and running and successfully deployed two applications: one from a public GitHub repository and another from a private GitHub repository.

With this setup, I can deploy anything I develop locally using the Coolify CLI with a single click after testing it locally.

This eliminates the hassle of managing ports and allows me to configure and deploy all applications from a single pane of glass.


Want to learn more about setting up Docker-in-Docker for Coolify and deploying applications?

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