Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. This platform provides everyone on your team, regardless of technical skill, equal access to data and digital file asset management, for any data model or project. First, link Directus to your desired SQL database and file storage adapter. After that, Directus enables you to perform CRUD operations, create users, assign roles with fully configurable permissions, build complex and granular queries, configure event-driven webhooks and task automation… the list goes on! In this step by step guide I will show you how to install Directus on your UGREEN NAS using Docker and Portainer.

💡Note: This guide works perfectly with the latest version of Directus v11.17.3

💡Note: Check out my guide on how to Install Directus on Your Synology NAS.

• STEP 1

Please Support My work by Making a Donation.

• STEP 2

Install Portainer using my step by step guide. If you already have Portainer installed on your UGREEN NAS, skip this STEP. Attention: Make sure you have installed the latest Portainer version.

• STEP 3

⚠️Mandatory: Enable HTTPS on your UGREEN NAS.

• STEP 4

Create a new hostname on the noip website using your noip account. For example, I have created mariusectus as Host and I use the free ddns.net domain. In the IP Address area, type in your own IPV4 IP address from your ISP, then click Create. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 5

⚠️Mandatory: Add Read & Write Permissions to the Docker Folder.

• STEP 6

Go to Files and open the docker folder. Inside the docker folder, create one new folder and name it directus. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

• STEP 7

Now create four new folders inside the directus folder that you created at STEP 6 and name them db, extensions, redis, uploads. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

• STEP 8

Log into Portainer using your username and password. On the left sidebar in Portainer, click on Home then Live connect. Follow the instructions in the image below.

On the left sidebar in Portainer, click on Stacks then + Add stack. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 9

In the Name field type in directus. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Note: Copy Paste the code below in the Portainer Stacks Web editor.

services:
  redis:
    image: redis:8
    command:
      - /bin/sh
      - -c
      - redis-server --requirepass redispass
    container_name: Directus-REDIS
    hostname: directus-redis
    security_opt:
      - no-new-privileges:true
    read_only: true
    user: 999:10
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "redis-cli ping || exit 1"]
    volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/directus/redis:/data:rw
    environment:
      TZ: Europe/Bucharest
    restart: on-failure:5

  db:
    image: postgis/postgis:18-master
    container_name: Directus-DB
    hostname: directus-db
    user: 999:10
    security_opt:
      - no-new-privileges:true
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD", "pg_isready", "-q", "-d", "directus", "-U", "directususer"]
      timeout: 45s
      interval: 10s
      retries: 10
    volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/directus/db:/var/lib/postgresql:rw
    environment:
      POSTGRES_DB: directus
      POSTGRES_USER: directususer
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: directuspass
    restart: on-failure:5

  directus:
    image: directus/directus:latest
    container_name: Directus
    hostname: directus
    user: 0:0
    security_opt:
      - no-new-privileges:true
    ports:
      - 8055:8055
    volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/directus/uploads:/directus/uploads:rw
      - /volume1/docker/directus/extensions:/directus/extensions:rw
    environment:
      KEY: dOxZYTTZgXKMHkqLBIQVImayQXAVWdzGBPuFJKggzcgvgPJPXpWzqzKaUOIOGGIr
      SECRET: sElEgUvUTlcPzQZoLVDhrPJtjLSHeMsathgkYLMrtfgDegJWSuXLZGRxiTjyveOh
      DB_CLIENT: pg
      DB_HOST: directus-db
      DB_PORT: 5432
      DB_DATABASE: directus
      DB_USER: directususer
      DB_PASSWORD: directuspass
      CACHE_ENABLED: true
      CACHE_STORE: redis
      REDIS: redis://:redispass@directus-redis:6379
      PUBLIC_URL: https://mariusectus.ddns.net
      WEBSOCKETS_ENABLED: true
      ADMIN_EMAIL: yourown@email
      ADMIN_PASSWORD: mariushosting
    depends_on:
      redis:
        condition: service_healthy
      db:
        condition: service_started
    restart: on-failure:5

Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value numbers for user with your own UID and GID values. (Follow my step by step guide on how to do this.) 999 is my personal UID value and 10 is my personal GID value. You have to type in your own values.
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for TZ. (Select your current Time Zone from this list.)
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for KEY. (Generate your own Random 64 length KEY.)
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for SECRET. (Generate your own Random 64 length SECRET.)
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for PUBLIC_URL and type in your own NO IP DDNS with https:// at the beginning that you have previously created at STEP 4.
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for ADMIN_EMAIL and type in your own email address.
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for ADMIN_PASSWORD and type in your own password. mariushosting is an example for a password you should use your own password.

• STEP 10

Scroll down on the page until you see a button named Deploy the stack. Click on it. Follow the instructions in the image below. The installation process can take up to a few minutes. It will depend on your Internet speed connection.

• STEP 11

If everything goes right, you will see the following message at the top right of your screen: “Success Stack successfully deployed“.

• STEP 12

Open your Nginx Proxy Manager container that you have previously installed at STEP 3. Click Add Proxy Host. A new pop up window will open. Add the following details:

Domain Names: Type in your own noip domain name that you have previously created at STEP 4.
Scheme: http
Forward Hostname/IP: Type in the local NAS IP of your UGREEN NAS.
Forward Port: Type in the Directus local Port that is 8055
Check Block Common Exploits
Check Websockets Support
Click the SSL tab. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 13

After you click the SSL tab, add the following details:

SSL Certificate: Request a new SSL Certificate
Check: Force SSL
Check: HSTS Enabled
Check: HTTP/2 Support
Click Save. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 14

In the Proxy Hosts area, if everything goes right, you will see that your hostname has been generated. Click on it. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 15

🟢Please Support My work by Making a Donation. Almost 99,9% of the people that install something using my guides forget to support my work, or just ignore STEP 1. I’ve been very honest about this aspect of my work since the beginning: I don’t run any ADS, I don’t require subscriptions, paid or otherwise, I don’t collect IPs, emails, and I don’t have any referral links from Amazon or other merchants. I also don’t have any POP-UPs or COOKIES. I have repeatedly been told over the years how much I have contributed to the community. It’s something I love doing and have been honest about my passion since the beginning. But I also Need The Community to Support me Back to be able to continue doing this work.

• STEP 16

Now open your browser and type in your HTTPS/SSL certificate like this https://yourname.ddns.net In my case it’s https://mariusectus.ddns.net If everything goes right, you will see the Directus installation page. Sign in using your own Email Address (ADMIN_EMAIL) and Password (ADMIN_PASSWORD) that you have previously added at STEP 9 then click Sign In. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 17

Type in your owner email address and accept the license terms. Click Set Owner. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 18

Your Directus dashboard at a glance!

Enjoy Directus on Your UGREEN NAS!

🆘TROUBLESHOOTING

🆙Note/Update/Container: How to Update Your Docker Containers on UGREEN NAS Using Portainer.
🐳Note: How to Create Docker Shortcuts on Desktop.
🆕Note: How to Update Portainer to the latest version.
🆕Note: How to Clean Docker.