> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.levelrail.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Self-host NodeBB with Docker

> A modern forum platform with real-time discussions, SSO, and a plugin ecosystem, backed by Postgres.

A modern forum platform with real-time discussions, SSO, and a plugin ecosystem, backed by Postgres.

This page describes the Levelrail template for NodeBB (Communication). It deploys the services below as one Docker Compose app on your own server. Project site: [https://docs.nodebb.org/](https://docs.nodebb.org/).

Recommended memory: about 512 MiB.

## Services, ports and volumes

| Service | Image | Container ports | Volumes |
| - | - | - | - |
| `nodebb` | `ghcr.io/nodebb/nodebb:latest` | 4567 | `nodebb_build -&#62; /usr/src/app/build`<br />`nodebb_uploads -&#62; /usr/src/app/public/uploads`<br />`nodebb_config -&#62; /opt/config` |
| `postgres` | `postgres:16-alpine` | none | `nodebb_postgres_data -&#62; /var/lib/postgresql/data` |

## Environment variables

| Service | Variable | Value |
| - | - | - |
| `nodebb` | `POSTGRES_PASSWORD` | Generated at deploy |
| `postgres` | `POSTGRES_DB` | Preset in the template |
| `postgres` | `POSTGRES_PASSWORD` | Generated at deploy |
| `postgres` | `POSTGRES_USER` | Preset in the template |

Passwords and keys marked as generated are created for you when the app is deployed and stored as secrets. Values are not shown here.

## Deploy NodeBB with Levelrail

In the dashboard, open **Apps**, choose **New app**, then **Browse templates**, and select NodeBB. Review the Compose body and deploy.

With the CLI:

```bash theme={"dark"}
levelrail-cli templates deploy nodebb --name my-nodebb
```

See the [service template catalog](/templates-and-registry) for how templates work, and [Getting started](/getting-started) if you have not installed Levelrail yet.

## More Communication templates

* [Apache Answer](/self-host/answer)
* [Apprise API](/self-host/apprise-api)
* [Campfire](/self-host/campfire)
* [Chatwoot](/self-host/chatwoot)
* [FreeScout](/self-host/freescout)

All templates are listed in the [self-host gallery](/self-host).


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