> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/grafana/grafana/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# 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`

<Note>
  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.
</Note>

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.

<Steps>
  ### Run Grafana container

  Run the latest stable version of Grafana Enterprise:

  ```bash theme={null}
  docker run -d -p 3000:3000 --name=grafana grafana/grafana-enterprise
  ```

  This command:

  * Runs the container in detached mode (`-d`)
  * Publishes port 3000 to the host (`-p 3000:3000`)
  * Names the container `grafana` (`--name=grafana`)
  * Uses the latest Enterprise image

  ### Access Grafana

  Open your browser and navigate to `http://localhost:3000`. Sign in with:

  * Username: `admin`
  * Password: `admin`

  You'll be prompted to change the password on first login.

  ### Stop the container

  To stop the Grafana container:

  ```bash theme={null}
  docker stop grafana
  ```
</Steps>

## 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.

<Steps>
  ### Create a volume

  ```bash theme={null}
  docker volume create grafana-storage
  ```

  ### Verify the volume

  ```bash theme={null}
  docker volume inspect grafana-storage
  ```

  ### Run Grafana with the volume

  ```bash theme={null}
  docker run -d -p 3000:3000 --name=grafana \
    --volume grafana-storage:/var/lib/grafana \
    grafana/grafana-enterprise
  ```
</Steps>

### 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.

<Steps>
  ### Create a data directory

  ```bash theme={null}
  mkdir data
  ```

  ### Run Grafana with bind mount

  ```bash theme={null}
  docker run -d -p 3000:3000 --name=grafana \
    --user "$(id -u)" \
    --volume "$PWD/data:/var/lib/grafana" \
    grafana/grafana-enterprise
  ```
</Steps>

## Environment Variables

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

### Common Configuration

```bash theme={null}
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:

```bash theme={null}
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

```bash theme={null}
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

```bash theme={null}
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

```bash theme={null}
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:

```yaml theme={null}
services:
  grafana:
    image: grafana/grafana-enterprise
    container_name: grafana
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - '3000:3000'
```

Start Grafana:

```bash theme={null}
docker compose up -d
```

Stop Grafana:

```bash theme={null}
docker compose down
```

### With Persistent Storage

```yaml theme={null}
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

```yaml theme={null}
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

```yaml theme={null}
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