Tinyfilemanager Docker Compose [2021] May 2026

TinyFileManager is a powerful, lightweight, single-file PHP application designed to manage files via a web browser. While it can be deployed by simply uploading a single .php file to a server, using Docker Compose is the preferred modern method for ensuring consistent environments, simplified updates, and secure, isolated execution. 1. Prerequisites

However, manually installing PHP and configuring a webserver (Nginx/Apache) on your host system is fragile. This is where Docker Compose provides a superior alternative. tinyfilemanager docker compose

Prepare Directories: Ensure the /path/to/your/files on your host machine exists and has appropriate permissions. The first bind mount is crucial

Then Nextcloud users can manage files via TFM’s interface. Create config

The first bind mount is crucial. Replace /path/to/your/local/data with an absolute path on your host (e.g., /mnt/storage or ./files for a relative path). This is where your actual files live.
The second is a named volume storing the config.php and user auth data so your credentials persist across container updates.

Create config.php on the host:

Step 9: Troubleshooting Common Issues

| Problem | Solution | |---------|----------| | White screen after login | Clear browser cache. The session might be corrupted. Or check docker logs tinyfilemanager for PHP errors. | | Upload fails for large files | Increase PHP limits (Step 6) and also ensure your reverse proxy (Nginx/Traefik) client_max_body_size is increased. | | Permissions error on upload | The mounted directory must be owned by UID 33 (www-data). Run sudo chown -R 33:33 ./data on host. | | "Invalid configuration" in terminal | The container lacks shell utilities. Use a custom image that includes bash and procps. | | I forgot my password | Stop the container, remove the named volume tinyfilemanager_config, and restart. Credentials will reset to env vars. |

version: '3.8'

Declarative Configuration: Your entire setup (volumes, networks, environment variables) lives in a single docker-compose.yml file.
Reproducibility: Move your compose file to any server, run docker compose up -d, and your file manager is back online.
Multi-container synergy: Easily add a MariaDB container (if you extend TFM), a Redis cache, or an Nginx reverse proxy sidecar.
Easy Updates: Change the image tag and run docker compose up -d – zero manual file downloads.