Where Does Dokku Store Apps and Data?
Dokku app folders, plugin data, and config paths on the host, all rooted under a single host directory.
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Dokku keeps nearly everything under /home/dokku on the host. Each app gets a folder named after it with environment files, nginx configs, and the bare git repo that receives pushes. That folder is the app to back up.
Service data for Postgres, Redis, and others sits under /var/lib/dokku/services with one folder per linked service. Global config lives in /home/dokku/.dokkurc and plugin folders. Copy the app tree with service dumps. Repos alone do not include database content. Export linked services separately for full moves.
Where Dokku stores this, by platform
/home/dokku
Root for all apps with one subfolder per app. Holds ENV, nginx templates, and git repos. Owned by the dokku user, so copy with sudo for migration.
/var/lib/dokku/services
Persistent data for linked Postgres, Redis, and other services. One folder per service instance. Back up with dokku service export or volume copies.
Frequently asked questions
what do i back up for a Dokku migration
Copy /home/dokku with database dumps for linked services. Each app folder holds env, nginx configs, and git work trees. Service data lives in /var/lib/dokku/services. Both need backups.
where is a single Dokku app configured
Look in /home/dokku/APP for env, DOKKU_SCALE, and nginx configs. The directory name matches the app name. Dokku rebuilds containers from this folder plus the last git push.
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