Docker Installation

Run Grafana in Docker containers using Docker CLI or Docker Compose

Docker Installation

This guide covers installing and running Grafana using Docker containers. You can run Grafana using the Docker CLI or Docker Compose.

Docker Images

Grafana provides official Docker images hosted on Docker Hub:

• Grafana Enterprise: grafana/grafana-enterprise
• Grafana Open Source: grafana/grafana

Starting with Grafana 12.4.0, the grafana/grafana-oss repository will no longer be updated. Use grafana/grafana instead, which contains the same Grafana OSS images.

The default images are built on Alpine Linux 3.23.3. All images run on port 3000 by default and use UID 472 for the grafana user.

Run Grafana with Docker CLI

The simplest way to run Grafana is using the Docker CLI.

Persistent Storage

By default, Grafana data is stored inside the container and will be lost when the container is removed. Use Docker volumes or bind mounts to persist data.

Using Docker Volumes (Recommended)

Docker volumes are managed by Docker and are the recommended approach for persistent storage.

Using Bind Mounts

Bind mounts map a host directory to the container. You must run the container with a user that has permission to access the directory.

Environment Variables

Configure Grafana using environment variables. All Grafana configuration options can be set using the GF_<SectionName>_<KeyName> format.

Common Configuration

docker run -d -p 3000:3000 --name=grafana \
  -e "GF_LOG_LEVEL=debug" \
  -e "GF_SERVER_ROOT_URL=http://my.grafana.server/" \
  -e "GF_SECURITY_ADMIN_PASSWORD=secure_password" \
  grafana/grafana-enterprise

Environment Variables for Docker Secrets

You can use Docker secrets by appending __FILE to environment variables:

docker run -d -p 3000:3000 --name=grafana \
  -e "GF_SECURITY_ADMIN_PASSWORD__FILE=/run/secrets/admin_password" \
  grafana/grafana-enterprise

Install Plugins

Install plugins at container startup using the GF_PLUGINS_PREINSTALL environment variable.

Install from plugin catalog

docker run -d -p 3000:3000 --name=grafana \
  -e "GF_PLUGINS_PREINSTALL=grafana-clock-panel,grafana-simple-json-datasource" \
  grafana/grafana-enterprise

Install specific version

docker run -d -p 3000:3000 --name=grafana \
  -e "GF_PLUGINS_PREINSTALL=grafana-clock-panel@1.0.1" \
  grafana/grafana-enterprise

Install from custom URL

docker run -d -p 3000:3000 --name=grafana \
  -e "GF_PLUGINS_PREINSTALL=custom-plugin@@https://example.com/plugin.zip" \
  grafana/grafana-enterprise

Run Grafana with Docker Compose

Docker Compose simplifies multi-container deployments using YAML configuration files.

Basic Configuration

Create a docker-compose.yaml file:

services:
  grafana:
    image: grafana/grafana-enterprise
    container_name: grafana
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - '3000:3000'

Start Grafana:

docker compose up -d

Stop Grafana:

docker compose down

With Persistent Storage

services:
  grafana:
    image: grafana/grafana-enterprise
    container_name: grafana
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - '3000:3000'
    volumes:
      - grafana-storage:/var/lib/grafana

volumes:
  grafana-storage: {}

With Environment Variables

services:
  grafana:
    image: grafana/grafana-enterprise
    container_name: grafana
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - GF_SERVER_ROOT_URL=http://my.grafana.server/
      - GF_PLUGINS_PREINSTALL=grafana-clock-panel
      - GF_LOG_LEVEL=info
    ports:
      - '3000:3000'
    volumes:
      - grafana-storage:/var/lib/grafana

volumes:
  grafana-storage: {}

With Bind Mounts

services:
  grafana:
    image: grafana/grafana-enterprise
    container_name: grafana
    restart: unless-stopped
    user: '0'
    ports:
      - '3000:3000'
    volumes:
      - '$PWD/data:/var/lib/grafana'

Container Configuration Paths

The Grafana Docker image uses the following paths:

Path	Description
/etc/grafana/grafana.ini	Configuration file
/var/lib/grafana	Data directory (dashboards, users, etc.)
/var/log/grafana	Log directory
/usr/share/grafana	Installation directory
/var/lib/grafana/plugins	Plugins directory
/etc/grafana/provisioning	Provisioning directory

Entry Point Script

The Docker image uses /run.sh as the entry point, which:

1. Validates file permissions for configuration and data directories
2. Processes environment variables ending in __FILE for Docker secrets
3. Configures AWS credentials if GF_AWS_PROFILES is set
4. Starts the Grafana server with appropriate configuration flags

Next Steps

• Configure Grafana data sources
• Set up authentication
• Install additional plugins
• Configure provisioning for dashboards and data sources