Use case
Self-hosted photo and video backup application. It is most useful when you want repeatable self-hosted services with clear networking, backup, and update boundaries.
Deployment options
- Docker Compose for simple single-node deployments
- Native package or appliance install when storage or virtualization is core
- Reverse proxy in front of HTTP services
- Private access through VPN or tunnel for admin surfaces
Hardware requirements
- Start with enough RAM for the app plus database/cache services
- Use SSD storage for metadata and databases
- Keep bulk media or backups on redundant storage
- Plan power, cooling, and UPS before exposing critical services
Docker Compose starter
services:
app:
image: example/immich:latest
restart: unless-stopped
ports:
- "8080:8080"
volumes:
- ./data:/dataPorts, reverse proxy, and backups
- Expose only the public HTTP endpoint through the reverse proxy
- Keep admin ports private behind VPN
- Back up config, database, and media separately
- Test restore, not just backup creation
Common pitfalls
- Publishing admin dashboards directly to the internet
- Putting app data on ephemeral container storage
- Updating without a snapshot or backup
- Forgetting database migrations during image upgrades