Running a Private Git Server in a Docker Container

Running a private Git server provides full control over your code, data privacy, and development workflow. Pairing it with Docker brings portability, easier deployment, and simplified maintenance—allowing you to manage your version-control infrastructure more efficiently. This long‑form guide walks you through everything involved in deploying a private Git server inside a Docker container, from selecting the right Git server solution to configuring security, managing backups, optimizing performance, and integrating the system into your existing DevOps environment.

Why Run a Private Git Server with Docker?

Operating a private Git server ensures your source code stays within your controlled environment, making it ideal for internal teams, self‑hosted CI/CD pipelines, sensitive projects, air‑gapped networks, or organizations requiring specific compliance standards. Docker enhances this by providing a minimal, isolated runtime that is easy to deploy, upgrade, back up, or replicate into new environments.

• Improved security and data ownership
• Consistent environment across development and production
• Rapid provisioning and rollback capabilities
• Easier migration between servers or cloud providers
• Scoped resource usage and lightweight footprint

If you are looking for additional containerization tutorials, check out our in‑depth guide here: {{INTERNAL_LINK}}

Choosing a Git Server to Run in Docker

Several Git servers can run efficiently inside Docker. The most common choices include Gitea, GitLab, and a simple SSH‑based bare Git repository setup. The best option depends on your feature needs and resource requirements.

Gitea

Gitea is lightweight, fast, and easy to deploy. It includes a full web UI, issue tracking, pull requests, and integration features. It is ideal for small to midsize teams that want a GitHub‑like interface without the overhead.

GitLab

GitLab is a full DevOps platform offering CI/CD pipelines, container registry, analytics, and project management. Its Docker deployment is more resource‑hungry but provides an all‑in‑one solution for large teams and enterprise workflows.

Bare Git Server via SSH

A plain bare Git repository hosted over SSH is the most lightweight option. It lacks a UI and requires manual user and repository management, but it’s extremely minimal and secure when configured properly.

Comparison of Git Server Options

Feature	Gitea	GitLab	Bare Git via SSH
System Requirements	Very Low	High	Minimal
Web Interface	Yes	Yes	No
CI/CD	Limited	Integrated	No
Ease of Setup in Docker	Easy	Medium	Easy
Best For	Small/medium teams	Large teams/enterprises	Minimal deployments

For many users, Gitea strikes the perfect balance of speed and features, which is why this guide focuses heavily on that option. However, you can adapt these principles to any Dockerized Git server.

Running a Private Git Server Using Gitea in Docker

Below is a detailed walk‑through of deploying Gitea using Docker Compose, which is the recommended method due to easier configuration management and persistence.

Step 1: Prepare Your Server

Ensure your host machine has Docker and Docker Compose installed. A basic VPS or on‑prem server with at least 1–2 GB of RAM is sufficient for Gitea.

Step 2: Create Directory Structure

Create a folder to hold your Docker Compose file and Gitea data volume:

/srv/gitea/docker-compose.yml
/srv/gitea/data/

Step 3: Create the Docker Compose File

Here is an example Docker Compose configuration for Gitea:

version: ‘3’
services:
  server:
    image: gitea/gitea:latest
    container_name: gitea
    ports:
      – “3000:3000”
      – “222:22”
    volumes:
      – ./data:/data
    restart: always

Once this file is created, you can bring the server up with:

docker compose up -d

Step 4: Initial Configuration

Navigate to your server’s IP on port 3000 (e.g., http://your-ip:3000). The first‑run wizard lets you configure:

• Database type (SQLite recommended for simple installs)
• Site title
• SSH server configuration
• Admin credentials

After submitting the form, your private Git server is ready.

Enhancing Security of Your Private Git Docker Deployment

Security is a crucial part of self‑hosting any code repository. Docker provides an isolation layer, but you must reinforce security from the network to the application layer.

Use Strong SSH Keys

Disable password authentication and require SSH keys for repository access.

Bind Ports to Localhost When Possible

If you use a reverse proxy, avoid exposing SSH or HTTP ports directly to the internet.

Run Behind a Reverse Proxy

Tools like Traefik or Nginx Proxy Manager provide automatic SSL via Let’s Encrypt and better traffic controls.

Enable Automatic Backup of Volumes

Backing up /data is essential. You can automate backups using tools such as:

• Restic {{AFFILIATE_LINK}}
• BorgBackup {{AFFILIATE_LINK}}
• Duplicati {{AFFILIATE_LINK}}

Setting Up Git Over SSH Inside Docker

One major advantage of running a private Git server is seamless SSH access. When using Gitea, the container automatically generates SSH keys and listens on the mapped port.

You can clone repositories like this:

git clone ssh://git@your-ip:222/username/repository.git

Ensure your firewall allows port 222 or whichever port you mapped.

Integrating the Git Server with CI/CD

Running your Git server inside Docker makes it easy to integrate with various CI/CD tools. Depending on the platform you choose, integration differs slightly.

CI/CD with Gitea Actions

Gitea includes a GitHub Actions‑compatible runner system. You can deploy runners as Docker containers and configure workflows directly through YAML files.

CI/CD with GitLab Runner

If you chose GitLab, you can deploy GitLab Runner containers on the same server or remote machines. This enables full DevOps pipelines for building, testing, and publishing applications.

CI/CD with Third‑Party Systems

For a minimal bare Git server, you can connect tools such as:

• Jenkins
• Woodpecker CI
• Drone CI
• Custom webhooks to containerized build systems

Backup and Disaster Recovery Strategy

Your private Git server is only as reliable as your backups. Docker helps by making data storage predictable. You primarily need to back up:

• Gitea or GitLab volumes
• Database volumes (if applicable)
• Configuration files

Here are recommended approaches:

• Nightly full backups via restic or borg
• Off‑site cloud storage using S3‑compatible services {{AFFILIATE_LINK}}
• Encrypted backups for higher security
• Disaster‑recovery test at least quarterly

Performance Optimization Tips

Even lightweight Git servers benefit from performance optimization. You can improve overall responsiveness by adjusting Docker and system configurations.

• Use SSD storage to reduce repository I/O latency
• Increase container memory limits if hosting large repositories
• Use external database containers for GitLab
• Enable caching layers for large CI/CD pipelines
• Run Docker on a dedicated VM or host to reduce resource contention

When to Choose GitLab Over Gitea

While Gitea excels in simplicity and speed, GitLab offers enterprise‑grade features that some organizations require. You should choose GitLab if you need:

• Built‑in CI/CD with advanced features
• Enterprise access controls and auditing
• Built‑in container registry
• Comprehensive project management tools

However, be aware that GitLab’s Docker deployment requires significantly more RAM, CPU, and disk space. For most small teams, Gitea remains the optimal choice.

Scaling Your Private Git Server

If your organization grows, you can scale your Git server horizontally and vertically. Scaling can be achieved with:

• Reverse proxy load balancers
• Replicated database clusters
• Separation of Git, CI, and database services into independent containers
• Distributed runners for CI/CD

Docker’s portability ensures migration between servers or cloud providers remains easy even as your environment expands.

Conclusion

Hosting a private Git server in a Docker container gives you a powerful, flexible, and secure way to manage source code internally. Whether you choose Gitea for its simplicity, GitLab for its enterprise features, or a bare Git repository for minimalistic deployments, Docker ensures your environment stays maintainable and easily reproducible. With proper security, backups, and performance tuning, your private Git server can reliably support your development workflows for years.

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FAQ

Can I host multiple Git servers on one machine?

Yes. Docker makes it simple to run multiple Git servers by mapping each container to different ports.

Is it safe to expose my private Git server to the internet?

Yes, as long as you secure it with SSH keys, HTTPS, firewalls, and a reverse proxy. For sensitive environments, use VPN access.

Can I migrate my Git server between hosts?

Absolutely. Simply move the Docker volumes and Compose file to a new server and restart the containers.

Does Gitea support CI/CD?

Yes, Gitea Actions provides a workflow engine similar to GitHub Actions, and you can also integrate external CI/CD tools.

What hardware do I need?

A small VPS with 1–2 GB RAM is enough for Gitea. GitLab requires significantly more—typically 4–8 GB RAM minimum.