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Mahmud Ibrahim
Mahmud Ibrahim

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🚀 Set Up MongoDB with Mongo Express Using Docker for Local Development

#mongodb #docker #microservices #webdev

MongoDB is a powerful NoSQL database widely used in modern applications. When building full-stack apps locally, it’s helpful to pair MongoDB with a lightweight admin interface, and Mongo Express is the perfect fit.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to spin up MongoDB with Mongo Express using Docker Compose. No native installs, no config nightmares — just containers working together like magic.

✅ Prerequisites

To follow along, make sure you have:

  • Docker
  • Docker Compose

This setup works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

🛠 Step-by-Step Setup Guide

📁 Step 1: Create your project directory

Open your terminal and run:

mkdir mongo-docker-setup  
cd mongo-docker-setup
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📝 Step 2: Create the docker-compose.yml file

Inside the folder, create a file named docker-compose.yml and paste this content:

services:
  # MongoDB
  mongodb:
    image: mongodb/mongodb-community-server:latest
    container_name: mongodb
    ports:
      - "27017:27017"
    volumes:
      - mongodb_data:/data/db
    environment:
      - MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME=user
      - MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD=root
    networks:
      - mongodb_network
    healthcheck:
      test:
        - CMD
        - mongosh
        - 'mongodb://localhost:27017/admin'
        - '--eval=db.runCommand({ ping: 1 })'
      retries: 3
      timeout: 5s
  # Mongo Express
  mongo-express:
    image: mongo-express:latest
    container_name: mongo-express
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "8081:8081"
    environment:
      ME_CONFIG_MONGODB_SERVER: mongodb
      ME_CONFIG_MONGODB_ADMINUSERNAME: user
      ME_CONFIG_MONGODB_ADMINPASSWORD: root
      ME_CONFIG_MONGODB_ENABLE_ADMIN: "true"
    depends_on:
      - mongodb
    networks:
      - mongodb_network

networks:
  mongodb_network:
    driver: bridge

volumes:
  mongodb_data:
    driver: local
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🔍 What This Does

  • Sets up a MongoDB server with a root username/password.
  • Stores data persistently using a Docker volume.
  • Launches Mongo Express as a web-based GUI for your database.
  • Connects the two services over a Docker bridge network.
  • Exposes ports 27017 for MongoDB and 8081 for Mongo Express.

🚀 Step 3: Start the containers

Run the following command:

docker compose up -d
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This will pull the necessary images and start both services in the background.

✅ Step 4: Access Mongo Express

Once the services are up, visit:

http://localhost:8081
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(If you see not found page, then run the following command in the terminal)

docker exec -it mongodb mongosh --username user --password root --authenticationDatabase admin
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  • Credential for Admin Login: admin/pass

mongo-express login page

You’ll see the Mongo Express dashboard, where you can:

  • Browse databases
  • Create collections
  • Add, edit, or delete documents
  • Run queries using MongoDB syntax

Login is automatic because the credentials are already passed through environment variables.

🧼 Step 5: Stop and clean up (optional)

To stop and remove everything:

docker compose down
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This stops the services and removes the volumes (i.e., your MongoDB data will be wiped).

🔚 Final Thoughts

Github Link: https://github.com/rafi021/mongodb-mongo-express-docker-compose

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Dj-tQg_srxM

With just a few lines of Docker Compose, you’ve created a full MongoDB development environment — complete with a UI for browsing and managing data. No need to install MongoDB locally or mess with GUIs. Just run, develop, and enjoy!

If you found this guide useful, consider sharing it with your team. Want to see similar Docker setups for Redis, PostgreSQL, RabbitMQ, or Elasticsearch? Let me know in the comments!

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