$ docker build -t mathapp-production -f Dockerfile.production. You can run it with: $ docker run -it -p 8010:8010 mathapp-production. Notice that we don’t need to map any directories, as all the source files are included in the container. Continuous Integration with Semaphore. Docker is a great solution to package and deploy Go applications. Install Docker: Use below link to install docker as per your operating system. MacOS; Windows; Ubuntu; Debian; Create Dockerfile. To dockerize this application we need to create a Dockerfile in the application root. The Docker image is created with instructions written in the Dockerfile. Make sure there is no extension in Dockerfile. Docker installed on your server, following Steps 1 and 2 of How To Install and Use Docker on Ubuntu 18.04. Node.js and npm installed, following these instructions on installing with the PPA managed by NodeSource. A Docker Hub account. For an overview of how to set this up, refer to this introduction on getting started with Docker Hub.
I used shinyapps.io for my own shiny app. It’s a great service. You can deploy your app for free, test it and show it to other people.But there’s also a downside: The memory an app can use is limited.
So I was looking for another way to deploy my app. So I took a look at Docker.
What is Docker?
A Docker container contains all programs and libraries which are required for running a special application.So it’s easy to transfer or distribute it to another “Docker host” and run the application on it.
Two docker container are separated so they can’t interfere with another. They can only talk with each other using defined ports or directories.
So that’s a way to solve the problem with different package versions or versions of R.
How to put a shiny app into a Docker container?
You have to write a Dockerfile to describe how Docker builds an image which can be started asa Docker container.The Dockerfile is a recipe with several steps. If you change one step all steps before the changed step can be reused. The changed step and all steps after that one must be run again.
I found a nice description of a Dockerfile for a shiny app at this page of statworx.
Building a container with the right R Environment using Renv
The main problem is to install all the R packages needed by your shiny app into your Docker container.Statworx uses the new renv R package management tool from RStudio.
Renv can write all needed packages into a file called renv.lock. If you run renv::restore()
these packages are installed again.
In practice some packages aren’t installed because some requirements on the OS-level aren’t met. You’ll geterror messages which guide you to the Linux packages you should install into your container beforeinstalling the R packages.
Dockerfile
But how does my Dockerfile look like? Here it is:
But let’s break it down into simple pieces:
The base image
That’s an image which contains a base R installation, tidyverse and the shiny server.This image uses Ubuntu as operating system.
Adding Ubuntu packages
So now we install all required (Ubuntu-) packages required for our R-packages:
Installing R packages
Now we install all R packages required by our shiny app. That’s an optimization in respect tothe statworx example I did here.
Statworx copies the whole app including the renv.lock
file into the image in this next steps andinstalls the R packages.
I copy only the renv.lock
file and install the packages. You’ll see the advantage soon.
That’s the step you’ll get the most errors because of missing dependancies. It’s also the most time consuming step. So you want to run it only if it is really required.
Installing and running the shiny app
Now we copy the shiny app into the image and run it. We also say that the app runs on port 3838 and declare this port to be visible from outside the container.
Interations
So now you can see the advantage of splitting the renv.lock file and the whole app:Once you have set up your R environment in your container and you do only changesto your shiny app you can reuse the first and time consuming steps of your container creating process.Docker only has to rerun the last steps: Copying your app and running it.
Reverse Proxy
When running your Docker container on a server you may want to usea reverse proxy such as nginx to map the local port to the standard port80 resp. 443 and use tls-encryption to protect the traffic.
Have you previously installed Docker Toolbox, Docker Machine, or VirtualBox?
Docker for Windows now requires Microsoft’s Hyper-V. Once enabled, VirtualBox will no longer be able to run virtual machines (your VM images will still remain). You can still use docker-machine
to manage remote hosts.
You have the option to import the default
VM after installing Docker for Windows from the Settings menu in the System Tray.
Docker for Windows enables Hyper-V if necessary; this requires a reboot.
Requirements
Docker for Windows runs on 64-bit Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education; 1511 November update, Build 10586 or later. Docker plans to support more versions of Windows 10 in the future.
Installation
- Download Docker.
- Double-click
InstallDocker.msi
to run the installer. - Follow the Install Wizard: accept the license, authorize the installer, and proceed with the install.
- Click Finish to launch Docker.
- Docker starts automatically.
- Docker loads a “Welcome” window giving you tips and access to the Docker documentation.
That’s it!
Verification
The whale in the status bar indicates a running (and accessible via terminal) Docker instance.
Open PowerShell or your favorite Windows terminal (e.g., Command prompt) and enter docker run hello-world
.
Windows prompts you for access every time Docker starts, allowing Docker to manage the Hyper-V VM’s. The first time Docker starts, you may need to provide the token from the Beta invitation email. When initialization completes, select About Docker from the notification area and verify you have the latest version.
From PowerShell (or your favorite Windows terminal), check the versions of docker
, docker-compose
, and verify your installation:
Before you stop, let’s test a Dockerized webserver; from PowerShell or cmd.exe, run:
If your host does not already have it, Docker downloads nginx
from Docker Hub and starts it. As soon as the download completes, point your web browser to http://docker to view the start page. You should see:
Welcome to nginx!

Docker App Install Mac
If you see this page, the nginx web server is successfully installed and working. Further configuration is required.
For online documentation and support please refer to nginx.org.Commercial support is available at nginx.com.
Thank you for using nginx.
Common Pitfalls
CPU
Business Central Docker Install App
If your CPU does not support virtualization, or if you do not have a 64-bit CPU, you cannot run Docker locally.
Operating System
Alpine Docker Install App
If you do not run a 64-bit version of Windows Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education; 1511 November update, Build 10586 or later, you cannot run Docker for Windows.
You can install Docker Toolbox if you have a 64-bit version of Windows 7 or later. Alternately, you do have the option to upgrade.
Docker App Install Download
Next: Install Docker on Linux
Requirements and things to know before installing Docker for Linux.