How to Use Docker for WordPress Development: A Complete Guide to Containerized Environments

If you’ve ever struggled with inconsistent development environments, version conflicts, or slow local servers, you’re not alone. Traditional tools like MAMP, XAMPP, or manual installs often lead to configuration headaches and unreliable deployments.

Enter Docker—a tool that allows you to containerize your WordPress environment, making it fast, consistent, and easily replicable across teams and machines.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the benefits of using Docker for WordPress development, how to get started, and advanced tips for building flexible, modern dev stacks. Whether you’re a solo developer or part of a team, Docker can revolutionize how you build with WordPress.

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What Is Docker and Why Should WordPress Developers Use It?

What Is Docker?

Docker is a containerization platform that lets you package your applications—including code, dependencies, and environments—into lightweight containers that can run anywhere.

Think of it as shipping your entire WordPress setup in a box that runs the same on your machine, your coworker’s laptop, and your production server.

Why Use Docker for WordPress?

• 🔁 Consistency: No more “it works on my machine” issues.
• 🚀 Speed: Start a full WordPress stack in seconds.
• 🔧 Customizability: Easily switch PHP versions, database engines, or server configs.
• 📦 Isolation: Keep projects separate—no global plugin or DB conflicts.

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Setting Up WordPress with Docker

Let’s walk through setting up a basic WordPress environment using Docker.

Step 1: Install Docker

First, install Docker Desktop for Mac or Windows.

Step 2: Create a Project Folder

mkdir wp-docker && cd wp-docker

Step 3: Create docker-compose.yml

version: '3.9'

services:
  wordpress:
    image: wordpress:latest
    ports:
      - "8000:80"
    environment:
      WORDPRESS_DB_HOST: db
      WORDPRESS_DB_USER: wpuser
      WORDPRESS_DB_PASSWORD: wppass
      WORDPRESS_DB_NAME: wpdb
    volumes:
      - ./wp-content:/var/www/html/wp-content

  db:
    image: mysql:5.7
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: rootpass
      MYSQL_DATABASE: wpdb
      MYSQL_USER: wpuser
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: wppass

Step 4: Start the Environment

docker-compose up -d

Visit http://localhost:8000 to complete your WordPress setup.

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Persisting Data with Volumes

To avoid losing data when containers restart, use Docker volumes. The volumes section in the Compose file above mounts the local wp-content directory so you can develop themes and plugins safely.

Custom Dockerfile for PHP Extensions

Need custom PHP extensions or configuration? Add a Dockerfile like this:

FROM wordpress:latest

RUN docker-php-ext-install pdo pdo_mysql

Then modify your docker-compose.yml:

build:
  context: .
  dockerfile: Dockerfile

Managing Multi-Service Environments

You can easily add more services (e.g., Redis, MailHog, phpMyAdmin):

phpmyadmin:
  image: phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin
  ports:
    - "8080:80"
  environment:
    PMA_HOST: db

Now access your DB at http://localhost:8080.

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Code Examples Recap

Basic Docker Compose File for WordPress

version: '3.9'

services:
  wordpress:
    image: wordpress
    ports:
      - "8000:80"
    environment:
      WORDPRESS_DB_HOST: db
      WORDPRESS_DB_USER: wpuser
      WORDPRESS_DB_PASSWORD: wppass
      WORDPRESS_DB_NAME: wpdb
  db:
    image: mysql:5.7
    environment:
      MYSQL_DATABASE: wpdb
      MYSQL_USER: wpuser
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: wppass
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: rootpass

Custom PHP Config (Optional)

FROM wordpress:php8.1-apache

RUN docker-php-ext-install mysqli pdo pdo_mysql

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Best Practices for Dockerized WordPress Development

• 🧩 Use .env files for sensitive credentials.
• 🛑 Avoid hardcoding ports in multi-project setups.
• 🧹 Run docker system prune occasionally to clean up unused images.
• 📁 Mount only necessary volumes to speed up Docker on macOS/Windows.
• 📝 Use WP-CLI inside the container:

docker exec -it wp-docker-wordpress-1 wp plugin install akismet --activate

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How SiteBox Simplifies Docker-Based WordPress Development

While Docker is powerful, setting it up and maintaining your dev environment can still take time and expertise.

SiteBox streamlines the process by offering:

• 🧪 Pre-built Docker environments for every project—no config required
• 🔄 Version control for environments—easily roll back or clone stacks
• 🧱 Built-in WordPress CLI and database tools
• 🔧 One-click deployment from dev to staging/production
• 🧘‍♀️ No local Docker install needed—everything runs in the cloud, freeing up your machine

SiteBox takes the best parts of Docker and wraps them in a dev-friendly experience purpose-built for WordPress teams.

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Conclusion

Docker has transformed modern development, and WordPress is no exception. By containerizing your development environment, you gain consistency, speed, and control that traditional tools can’t match.

With just a few lines of configuration, you can launch fully-isolated WordPress stacks in seconds—and scale them up with advanced services like Redis, phpMyAdmin, and more.

And if you want to save time and avoid setup headaches, SiteBox delivers a ready-to-go Docker-based workflow—so you can focus on building, not configuring.

Want to level up your WordPress development?
👉 Try SiteBox and experience modern, Docker-powered dev environments the easy way.