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Step 1Open the server Apps tab
Select the tutorial-vps VPS, open the Apps tab, and start a new app deployment. Keep sensitive server details hidden before capturing or sharing screenshots.
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Docker Registry
Infrastructure256MB+ RAM
Private container image registry
containersdockerregistryimages
Deploy Docker Registry in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select Docker Registry
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy Docker Registry on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Docker Registry template in Server Compass to deploy a private Docker image registry on your VPS, then verify the registry API endpoint in a browser.
About 10 minutesBrowser verified
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Step 2Choose an app template
Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.
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Step 3Search for Docker Registry
Use the template picker search to find Docker Registry in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Docker Registry template
Choose the Docker Registry template. Server Compass fills the registry service, persistent image storage volume, delete setting, and public port.
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Step 5Review the Docker Registry settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named docker-registry-demo and used host port 5000.
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Step 6Deploy Docker Registry
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the registry port is available, and click Deploy.
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Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the registry image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Docker Registry is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Docker Registry app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open the registry API endpoint in the browser
Open the application URL with /v2/ appended. An empty JSON response confirms the registry API is reachable.
After Docker Registry Opens
- Do not expose this registry publicly without HTTPS and authentication.
- Use a VPN, IP allowlist, firewall rule, or authenticated reverse proxy for production access.
- Configure Docker clients for this registry before pushing or pulling images.
- Add retention and cleanup policy for old image tags.
- Back up the registry data volume before moving or replacing the VPS.
- Keep the registry image updated for dependency and security fixes.
Verified Result
The Docker Registry /v2/ endpoint loaded successfully and returned the expected API response.
Docker Registry deployment questions
What does the Docker Registry template deploy?
It deploys the official Docker Registry container with a persistent registry data volume and delete support enabled.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 5000, which maps to the Docker Registry API on container port 5000.
Why does the guide verify /v2/?
Docker Registry is an API service, not a dashboard. The /v2/ endpoint confirms the registry API is reachable.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Docker Registry template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Do It Yourself
Deploy Docker Registry via Command Line
Prefer the command line? Follow this step-by-step guide to deploy Docker Registry manually on your VPS.
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Access Your VPS via Terminal
Open a terminal session and log into your VPS. Replace the placeholder with your actual IP.
terminal
# Connect via SSH
ssh root@your-vps-ip
# Alternative with key file
ssh -i /path/to/key root@your-vps-ipFirst time? Make sure Docker is installed on your VPS. Run: curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
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Set Up Project Folder
Create a workspace for your deployment files.
terminal
# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/docker-registry
cd ~/apps/docker-registry3
Create the Compose File
Configure your containers with this Docker Compose setup:
docker-compose.yml
services:
registry:
image: registry:2
ports:
- "5000:5000"
environment:
- REGISTRY_STORAGE_DELETE_ENABLED=true
volumes:
- registry_data:/var/lib/registry
restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
registry_data:
Configuration Variables
PORTHost port(default: 5000)4
Deploy Your Stack
Spin up the containers and verify the deployment.
terminal
# Start all services
docker compose up -d
# List running containers
docker compose ps
# Watch the logs
docker compose logs -f5
Update Firewall Settings
Allow incoming traffic on the application port.
terminal
# Allow the application port through firewall
sudo ufw allow 5000/tcp
sudo ufw reload
# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:5000Skip the Terminal
Skip the terminal. Use Server Compass instead.
Deploy Docker Registry with a beautiful UI instead. No SSH, no YAML editing, no terminal commands. Just click, configure, and deploy in under 3 minutes.
- Beautiful interface
- One-click deploys
- Let's Encrypt SSL
- Zero downtime
- Container monitoring
- Easy rollbacks
Download Server Compass$29 one-time • Lifetime license
After Deployment
After deploying Docker Registry with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
1
Configure Docker daemon to allow insecure registry
2
Push/pull images
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Docker Registry FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Docker Registry
How do I deploy Docker Registry with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Docker Registry from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.
What are the system requirements for Docker Registry?
Docker Registry requires a minimum of 256MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 1024MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.
Can I migrate my existing Docker Registry data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Docker Registry backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Docker Registry to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Docker Registry image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Docker Registry free to self-host?
Docker Registry is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.
Ready to Self-Host Docker Registry?
Download Server Compass and deploy Docker Registry to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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