Developer quickstart with Docker Compose

Get started with Docker Compose to run Camunda 8 Self-Managed locally. The default lightweight configuration includes the Orchestration Cluster and Connectors, and uses file-based H2 secondary storage. The full configuration additionally includes Optimize, Camunda Hub, Management Identity, Keycloak, PostgreSQL, and Elasticsearch.

Docker Compose also supports document handling, configurable secondary storage, built-in connectors, custom connectors, and local modeling workflows with Desktop Modeler and Web Modeler.

note

The Docker images are supported for production usage. The Docker Compose files are intended for local development and evaluation, and are not designed for production. For production deployments, use Kubernetes with Helm.

Camunda 8 with Docker Compose includes the following:

• Orchestration Cluster
• Connectors
• File-based H2 as the default secondary storage in the lightweight configuration

Pages in this section

Step through the Docker Compose guide with the following topics:

• Install and start
• Configuration
• Secondary storage
• Connectors and modeling

Common tasks

If you are looking for a specific task from the previous single-page guide, use the links below.

Install and start Camunda 8 with Docker Compose

For prerequisites, startup commands, and shutdown commands, see install and start with Docker Compose.

Choose a Docker Compose configuration

For lightweight, full, and standalone Camunda Hub configurations, plus component URLs and authentication defaults, see configure Docker Compose environments.

Customize application settings

For mounted application files, .env, Spring environment overrides, and connector secrets, see customize application configuration.

Configure secondary storage

For Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and H2 examples, see configure secondary storage with Docker Compose.

Use connectors and deploy processes

For connector secrets, custom connectors, Desktop Modeler, and Web Modeler, see use connectors and deploy processes with Docker Compose.

Stop Camunda 8 with Docker Compose

For shutdown commands and volume cleanup guidance, see install and start with Docker Compose.

Next steps

• Follow the getting started guide to create a Java project and connect to your local cluster.
• Explore the Orchestration Cluster REST API and client libraries.
• When you are ready for production, deploy with Kubernetes and Helm.