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Developer tool

Dockerfile and Compose Generator

Pick Node, Python, Laravel, Go or static nginx and get a Dockerfile, docker-compose.yml and .dockerignore with health checks and a non-root user.

Free, no sign-up. Runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.

Stack and options

Stack

Image tag, for example 22 or 3.12.

Database service

Generated files

# syntax=docker/dockerfile:1

FROM node:22-alpine AS deps
WORKDIR /app
COPY package.json package-lock.json* ./
RUN npm ci --omit=dev

FROM node:22-alpine AS runner
ENV NODE_ENV=production
WORKDIR /app
COPY --from=deps --chown=node:node /app/node_modules ./node_modules
COPY --chown=node:node . .
USER node
EXPOSE 3000
HEALTHCHECK --interval=30s --timeout=5s --start-period=20s --retries=3 CMD wget -qO- http://localhost:3000/ > /dev/null || exit 1
CMD ["node", "server.js"]

Save the files next to your code, then run docker compose up --build.

How to use the dockerfile and compose generator

Generate container files in a few clicks

  1. Choose your stack: Node.js, Python, PHP with Laravel, Go or a static site served by nginx.
  2. Set the service name, the port and the runtime version. For Node and Python you can also change the start command.
  3. Pick a database service if you need one: PostgreSQL, MySQL or Redis.
  4. Switch health checks and the non-root user on or off, then copy or download each file from the tabs.

What you get

  • Dockerfile with a multi-stage build where it helps, so the final image carries only what it needs to run.
  • docker-compose.yml with your app, an optional database, a named volume and, when health checks are on, a start order that waits for the database to be ready.
  • .dockerignore that keeps node_modules, vendor, git data and secrets out of the build context. This makes builds faster and keeps .env files out of images.
  • Extra files when needed, such as nginx.conf for the static site and .env.example listing the variables the compose file expects.

Good habits built in

Dependencies are installed before the rest of the code is copied, so Docker can reuse the cached layer when only your source changes. Secrets are never written into the files; they are read from environment variables. Containers restart unless you stop them on purpose.

Next steps

Save the files in your project root, create a .env with the passwords, and run docker compose up --build. Pin exact image versions before you deploy, add your build step if the app needs one (for example a front-end bundle), and scan the image with a tool such as Docker Scout or Trivy.

Laravel images listen on a high port so they can run without root; if you change the port, the tool updates Apache for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the files as they are?

They are a solid starting point for a typical project. Check the start command, the port and the build steps against your own code, then run docker compose up --build to test.

Why run as a non-root user?

If an attacker breaks into the app, a non-root process has far fewer rights inside the container and on mounted volumes. It is a cheap, well-known safeguard.

Where do database passwords go?

The compose file reads them from variables such as DB_PASSWORD. Put the real values in a .env file that stays out of git; the .env.example tab shows the names.

What does the health check do?

Docker calls your app on a schedule. The database waits until it is healthy before the app starts, and orchestrators can restart a container that stops answering.

Is anything uploaded?

No. The files are built from the options in your browser.