Run MySQL with Adminer using Docker (No XAMPP or LAMP Required)

For developers needing a quick MySQL database setup, Docker provides a lightweight alternative to XAMPP or LAMP. This method ensures isolation and portability, streamlining your development workflow. This tutorial guides you through setting up MySQL and Adminer with Docker, eliminating the need for bulky tools.

Step 1: Create a Temporary Folder

Begin by creating a directory for your Docker setup. This folder will house your docker-compose.yml file and all data generated during MySQL usage.

mkdir mysql-docker-setup
cd mysql-docker-setup

Step 2: Add Docker Compose File

Within the folder, create a docker-compose.yml file with the following content:

version: "3.8"
services:
  mysql:
    image: mysql:8.0
    container_name: mysql8
    restart: always
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: password
    ports:
      - "3306:3306"
    volumes:
      - mysql_data:/var/lib/mysql
  adminer:
    image: adminer
    container_name: adminer
    restart: always
    ports:
      - "8080:8080"
volumes:
  mysql_data:

This configuration runs a MySQL 8.0 container with a root password and Adminer, a lightweight web-based database management tool.

Step 3: Run the Containers

Start the containers by executing:

docker-compose up -d

Verify they are running with:

docker ps

Step 4: Access Adminer

Open your browser and navigate to http://localhost:8080. Use the following credentials:

• System: MySQL
• Server: mysql
• Username: root
• Password: password

You now have a fully functional database management tool.

Step 5: Connect Locally

Connect directly to the MySQL instance from your local tools like DBeaver or MySQL Workbench. The default ports are 3306 for MySQL and 8080 for Adminer. Adjust the docker-compose.yml file if necessary.

ports:
  - "3307:3306"
  - "9090:8080"

Connect using:

MySQL: localhost:3307
Adminer: http://localhost:9090

Why This Is Better Than XAMPP or LAMP

• Lightweight: Only MySQL and Adminer.
• Portable: Works on any system with Docker.
• Isolated: No interference with your system's MySQL.
• Reusable: Multiple setups for different projects.

Using Docker for databases simplifies and streamlines your workflow, providing a more reliable and cleaner development experience.