Docker Container Redmine 7 installation on MacOS

The easiest, most robust way to run Redmine 7 (with PostgreSQL) on macOS using Docker is via Docker Compose.

• Install Docker Desktop for Mac
• Create a Project Directory
• Create the docker-compose.yml File
• Start the Containers
• Access Redmine 7
• Useful Maintenance Commands

Install Docker Desktop for Mac

Make sure you have Docker Desktop installed and running on your Mac (supports Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3/M4 and Intel processors natively).

Create a Project Directory

Open your terminal and create a dedicated folder for your Redmine setup:

mkdir redmine-docker
cd redmine-docker

Create the docker-compose.yml File

Create a file named docker-compose.yml inside that directory using your favorite text editor (e.g., nano docker-compose.yml):

services:
  postgres:
    image: postgres:16-alpine
    container_name: redmine_postgres
    restart: always
    environment:
      POSTGRES_DB: redmine
      POSTGRES_USER: redmine
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: your_secure_password
    volumes:
      - pg_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    networks:
      - redmine-net

  redmine:
    image: redmine:7.0
    container_name: redmine_app
    restart: always
    ports:
      - "8080:3000" 
    environment:
      REDMINE_DB_POSTGRES: postgres
      REDMINE_DB_USERNAME: redmine
      REDMINE_DB_PASSWORD: your_secure_password
      REDMINE_DB_DATABASE: redmine
    volumes:
      - redmine_data:/usr/src/redmine/files
      - redmine_plugins:/usr/src/redmine/plugins
    depends_on:
      - postgres
    networks:
      - redmine-net

volumes:
  pg_data:
  redmine_data:
  redmine_plugins:

networks:
  redmine-net:
    driver: bridge

Note: redmine:7.0 targets the Redmine 7 series. You can also specify an exact patch version like redmine:7.0.2 if needed.

Start the Containers

Run the following command in your terminal within the redmine-docker folder to start the application in the background:

docker compose up -d

Docker will pull the PostgreSQL and Redmine 7 images, build the necessary network volumes, and initialize the database schema automatically.

Access Redmine 7

1. Wait a minute or two for the database migrations to finish on the initial launch. You can check the logs using:

docker compose logs -f redmine

2. Once you see messages indicating the server has booted up, open your browser and navigate to:

http://localhost:8080

3. Log in with the default administrator credentials:

• Username: admin
• Password: admin

You will be immediately prompted to change your password upon your first login.

Useful Maintenance Commands

• Stop containers: docker compose down
• View logs: docker compose logs -f
• Update to newer patch versions: Update the tag in docker-compose.yml (e.g., to a newer 7.0.x release), then run docker compose pull && docker compose up -d