Running PostgreSQL with Docker

📰 Dev.to · OdaloV

Learn to run PostgreSQL with Docker for clean and disposable instances, perfect for local development and multiple projects

intermediate Published 22 Jul 2026

Action Steps

Run a Postgres container using Docker with the command: docker run -d --name my-postgres -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=mysecretpassword -e POSTGRES_USER=myuser -e POSTGRES_DB=mydb postgres
Use docker-compose for persistent and reusable Postgres instances
Configure persistent data storage for your Postgres container using Docker volumes
Troubleshoot common issues that may arise when running Postgres with Docker

Who Needs to Know This

Developers and DevOps engineers can benefit from this guide to streamline their workflow and keep their host machine organized

Key Insight

💡 Docker provides a clean and efficient way to run Postgres instances for local development, keeping your host machine organized and free of version conflicts

Key Takeaways

Learn to run PostgreSQL with Docker for clean and disposable instances, perfect for local development and multiple projects

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Title: Running PostgreSQL with Docker

URL Source: https://dev.to/odalov/running-postgresql-with-docker-14m2

Published Time: 2026-07-22T00:54:32Z

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Posted on Jul 22

# Running PostgreSQL with Docker

[#docker](https://dev.to/t/docker)[#postgres](https://dev.to/t/postgres)

Installing Postgres directly on your machine works, but it gets messy fast once you're juggling multiple projects that each want different versions, extensions, or seed data. Docker sidesteps all of that you get a clean, disposable Postgres instance per project, and your host machine stays untouched.

This guide covers running Postgres in Docker for local development: quick one-off containers, `docker-compose` for anything you'll come back to, persistent data, and a few things that trip people up.

## [](https://dev.to/odalov/running-postgresql-with-docker-14m2#1-the-quickest-way-to-get-a-postgres-instance-running) 1. The quickest way

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Running PostgreSQL with Docker

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