GitLab Docker Setup

Introduction

In this guide, we will walk through the process of setting up GitLab using Docker. GitLab is a web-based Git repository manager that provides a complete DevOps platform for managing code, CI/CD, and collaboration. Docker is a popular platform for containerizing applications, allowing for easy deployment and scalability. By combining GitLab with Docker, you can have a self-hosted Git repository with all the benefits of containers.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, make sure you have the following prerequisites installed:

• Docker: Install Docker
• Docker Compose: Install Docker Compose

Steps

Step 1: Create a Docker Compose File

Create a new file called docker-compose.yml and populate it with the following content:

version: '3'
services:
  gitlab:
    image: gitlab/gitlab-ce:latest
    restart: always
    ports:
      - "80:80"
    volumes:
      - ./config:/etc/gitlab
      - ./logs:/var/log/gitlab
      - ./data:/var/opt/gitlab

This docker-compose file defines a service named gitlab that uses the latest GitLab Community Edition Docker image. It also maps the necessary volumes for configuration, logs, and data persistence.

Step 2: Start GitLab Container

Open a terminal or command prompt, navigate to the directory where you saved the docker-compose.yml file, and run the following command:

docker-compose up -d

This command will start the GitLab container in the background. You can access GitLab at http://localhost from your web browser.

Step 3: Configure GitLab

Once the container is up and running, access GitLab by navigating to http://localhost. You will be prompted to set up an initial password and create a new administrative account. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.

Step 4: Access GitLab

After the initial setup, you can log in to GitLab using the administrative account you created. You can now start creating repositories, managing projects, and collaborating with your team using GitLab's extensive features.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you have successfully set up GitLab using Docker. You can now enjoy the benefits of a self-hosted Git repository with the flexibility and scalability provided by Docker containers.

Happy coding!