Docker

Docker is an optional packaging and self-hosting choice. It runs the framework's Node.js server. You do not need Docker when deploying directly to Node.js, Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare, or another Nitro target.

Local quickstart

Create an app, install dependencies, and build the image:

npx @agent-native/core@latest create my-app --standalone --template chat
cd my-app
pnpm install
docker build -t my-agent-native-app .
docker run --rm -p 3000:3000 my-agent-native-app

For a local Postgres-backed stack, use Docker Compose. The self-hosted Chat fixture includes the app and database services. It is for local development, not an internet-facing production deployment.

Production image

Use a persistent external database. Do not copy the local data/ directory into the image.

Dockerfile
FROM node:24-slim AS build
WORKDIR /app
COPY package.json pnpm-lock.yaml ./
RUN corepack enable && pnpm install --frozen-lockfile
COPY . .
RUN pnpm build

FROM node:24-slim
WORKDIR /app
COPY --from=build /app/.output .output
ENV NODE_ENV=production
ENV PORT=3000
EXPOSE 3000
CMD ["node", ".output/server/index.mjs"]

Set DATABASE_URL, BETTER_AUTH_SECRET, and any provider keys in the container or host secret store. Configure HTTPS and OAuth callback URLs for the public origin.

Self-hosting multiple apps with Docker Compose is covered in Workspace Deployment.

What's next

Node.js - the runtime behind this image
Deploy an app - the complete app path
Deployment - compare deployment targets