adminDocker Automation Stack Checklist for VPS
This checklist is for running automation services on a VPS with Docker. It applies to n8n, API services, workers, crawlers, small AI agent tools and webhook-based workflows.
Why this matters
Docker makes deployment easier, but a weak Docker setup can still fail. Missing volumes, exposed ports, unsafe env files, uncontrolled logs and no restart policy can make an automation system unreliable.
Checklist
- Install Docker and Docker Compose correctly.
- Use a docker-compose.yml file instead of random long commands.
- Store secrets in an environment file.
- Use named volumes for persistent data.
- Set restart policy for important services.
- Expose only required ports.
- Use a reverse proxy and HTTPS for dashboards.
- Check container logs after deployment.
- Monitor Docker disk usage.
- Back up compose files, env files and volumes.
- Document the restore process.
Final check
An automation stack is production-ready only when it can restart, persist data, protect secrets, provide logs and recover from a failed update.
When to Use This Checklist
Use this checklist when deploying n8n, API services, workers, crawlers or AI automation tools with Docker on a VPS.
Required Tools
SSH access, Docker, Docker Compose, domain or subdomain, reverse proxy, SSL, backup storage
Before You Start
Prepare the domain, decide which ports need to be public and collect all environment variables before starting deployment.
Structured Checklist Steps
- Check Docker version.
- Check Docker Compose version.
- Create docker-compose.yml.
- Create .env file.
- Define named volumes.
- Add restart policy.
- Expose only required ports.
- Set up reverse proxy and SSL.
- Check container logs.
- Check Docker disk usage.
- Back up compose, env and volumes.
Verification Steps
- Run docker ps.
- Open service dashboard through HTTPS.
- Restart VPS or Docker service and confirm containers return.
- Check docker logs for errors.
- Confirm volumes persist data.
Rollback Plan
If a new image breaks the stack, stop the updated container, restore the previous compose file or image tag and restore volume data from backup if required.
Common Mistakes
- Running containers without volumes.
- Putting secrets in public files.
- Exposing internal ports to the Internet.
- No restart policy.
- No backup before image updates.
Related Commands
docker --version
docker compose version
docker ps
docker logs container_name
docker system df
docker compose up -d
docker compose down