Files and storage, checked 2026-09-07

Seafile: Docker configuration reference

Self-hosted file sync and share server with client-side encryption and file-history versioning.

At a glance

Ports

Ports
PortWhat listensSource
80Internal HTTP listener for the seafile container. Not published to the host by default; the bundled caddy service is the intended entry point.source for port 80

Environment variables

Environment variables
VariableRequiredWhat it doesExampleSource
SEAFILE_SERVER_HOSTNAMEYesPublic hostname. Required with no default; used to build the caddy reverse-proxy label and internal service URLs.seafile.example.comsource for SEAFILE_SERVER_HOSTNAME
SEAFILE_MYSQL_DB_PASSWORDYesPassword for the seafile MySQL user. No default; the compose file fails to start without it.pwgen -s 20 1source for SEAFILE_MYSQL_DB_PASSWORD
JWT_PRIVATE_KEYYesSigns internal JWTs between Seafile, SeaDoc and, if enabled, the AI and notification services. Must be at least 32 characters.pwgen -s 40 1source for JWT_PRIVATE_KEY
SEAFILE_SERVER_PROTOCOLNoScheme used to build the SeaDoc and notification server URLs and the caddy label. Defaults to http, which is wrong for anything but a local test.httpssource for SEAFILE_SERVER_PROTOCOL
CACHE_PROVIDERNoCache backend, redis or memcached. Redis is the recommended default since Seafile 13 and the compose file ships a redis service for it.redissource for CACHE_PROVIDER

Volumes that must persist

Volumes
PathWhat is in itSource
/sharedAll Seafile data, configuration and logs live under this single mount. This and the MySQL volume are the only two paths that need backing up.source for /shared
/var/lib/mysql (db)ccnet, seafile and seahub databases.source for /var/lib/mysql

Behind a reverse proxy

What it needs alongside it

Dependencies
DependencyWhySource
MariaDB 10.11 and RedisMariaDB holds the ccnet, seafile and seahub databases; Redis is the default cache provider since Seafile 13.source for MariaDB 10.11 and Redis

Release timeline

Releases
VersionDateBreakingWhat changedSource
13.0.252026-07-13NoCommunity edition image release on the 13.0 line, per the seafileltd/seafile-mc registry.source for release 13.0.25
13.0.242026-06-10NoCommunity edition image release on the 13.0 line.source for release 13.0.24
13.0.222026-05-29NoCommunity edition image release on the 13.0 line.source for release 13.0.22
13.0.212026-04-20NoCommunity edition image release on the 13.0 line.source for release 13.0.21

If it is not coming up

Read from the upstream documentation, repository and container registry by Keita Emsden on 2026-09-07. Every row links the page it came from. Upstream changes without telling anyone, so check the source link before you rely on a value.

Other app references

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