Install OpenProject with Linux and Docker

OpenProject is a robust open-source project management tool. Running it in Docker on Linux makes setup, upgrades, and maintenance simple. Here’s how to get OpenProject up and running in less than 20 minutes.

Prerequisites

• A Linux server (Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, etc.)
• docker and docker-compose installed
• Root or sudo privileges

Step 1: Install Docker & Docker Compose

If you haven’t already installed Docker, run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y docker.io docker-compose
sudo systemctl enable --now docker

You can check your Docker install:

docker --version
docker-compose --version

Step 2: Prepare a Directory for OpenProject

Choose a location for your OpenProject files and create a directory:

mkdir ~/openproject-docker
cd ~/openproject-docker

Step 3: Create Your Docker Compose File

Create a file named docker-compose.yml:

nano docker-compose.yml

Paste this minimal configuration:

version: '3'
services:
  openproject:
    image: openproject/community:latest
    ports:
      - "8080:80"
    environment:
      - SECRET_KEY_BASE=supersecretkey
      - OPENPROJECT_HTTPS=false
    volumes:
      - openproject_data:/var/openproject/assets
volumes:
  openproject_data:

Tip: Replace supersecretkey with a strong, unique string.

Step 4: Start OpenProject

Launch the container:

sudo docker-compose up -d

Docker will pull the image and start OpenProject in the background.

Step 5: Access OpenProject

Open your browser and go to:

http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:8080

You’ll see the setup screen. The default admin login is:

• Username: admin
• Password: admin

Change the admin password right away.

Step 6: Configure and Secure (Optional, but Important)

• Set up HTTPS: Don’t run production apps without HTTPS. Use a reverse proxy like Nginx or Traefik.
• Back up regularly: The data is in the openproject_data Docker volume.
• Upgrade easily: Run docker-compose pull and docker-compose up -d to get new OpenProject releases.

Troubleshooting

• If you can’t access the site, check your firewall or security group settings.
• View logs with: docker-compose logs -f

That’s It

You now have OpenProject running in Docker on Linux. Easy upgrades, isolated environment, and production-ready. For advanced options or integrations, check the official OpenProject Docker docs.

Need more guides like this? Let me know in the comments!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!