Raspberry Pi WordPress Setup with Docker

What is WordPress?

WordPress (https://www.wordpress.org) is a powerful and popular content management system (CMS) used worldwide for creating websites and blogs. With a vast array of themes, plugins, and an easy-to-use interface, WordPress offers both beginner-friendly and advanced customization options for building robust sites.

Why Use Docker on a Raspberry Pi?

Docker allows for isolated containers, making it easy to set up, maintain, and manage applications. By using Docker, we can:

1. Simplify installation: Docker bundles all dependencies.
2. Run multiple services: Run MySQL and WordPress as separate, connected containers.
3. Reduce configuration time: With pre-configured Docker images, setup is straightforward.

Prerequisites

Before starting, you’ll need:

1. A Raspberry Pi (Raspberry Pi 3 or later is recommended).
2. Raspbian (or any Raspberry Pi OS variant) installed.
3. A reliable internet connection.
4. Docker and Docker Compose installed on your Raspberry Pi.

Setting up Docker on the Raspberry Pi

Step 1: Install Docker

If Docker is not installed, start by installing it. Run the following commands:

curl -sSL https://get.docker.com | sh
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

After installation, reboot the Raspberry Pi:

sudo reboot

Step 2: Install Docker Compose

Docker Compose will help manage multiple containers. Install it using:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y docker-compose

Creating a Docker Compose File for WordPress

Step 1: Set Up Your Working Directory

Navigate to your preferred directory and create a folder for your WordPress setup:

mkdir wordpress-docker && cd wordpress-docker

Step 2: Create a docker-compose.yml File

In this folder, create a docker-compose.yml file:

version: '3.3'

services:
  db:
    image: mysql:5.7
    volumes:
      - db_data:/var/lib/mysql
    restart: always
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: examplepassword
      MYSQL_DATABASE: wordpress
      MYSQL_USER: wordpressuser
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: wordpresspass

  wordpress:
    image: wordpress:latest
    ports:
      - "8080:80"
    restart: always
    environment:
      WORDPRESS_DB_HOST: db:3306
      WORDPRESS_DB_USER: wordpressuser
      WORDPRESS_DB_PASSWORD: wordpresspass
      WORDPRESS_DB_NAME: wordpress
    depends_on:
      - db

volumes:
  db_data:

Replace examplepassword, wordpressuser, and wordpresspass with your own secure values.

Running the WordPress and MySQL Containers

With Docker Compose configured, start the containers by running:

sudo docker-compose up -d

This command tells Docker Compose to start both containers in detached mode.

Accessing WordPress

Once the containers are running, access WordPress by entering your Raspberry Pi’s IP address and port 8080 in a browser (e.g., http://<Raspberry_Pi_IP>:8080). You should see the WordPress setup screen.

Follow the prompts to set up your new WordPress site.

Managing Docker Containers

Stopping the Containers

To stop the WordPress and MySQL containers, use:

sudo docker-compose down

This will stop and remove the containers, preserving the data in the db_data volume.

Starting the Containers Again

When you’re ready to start them again, simply run:

sudo docker-compose up -d

Conclusion

With Docker, hosting a WordPress site on your Raspberry Pi is quick and manageable. You can now enjoy a personal WordPress site on this portable, energy-efficient platform.