How to Install Dockman on Your Synology NAS

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How to Install Dockman on Your Synology NAS

Dockman is a free Docker management tool for users who want unfiltered access to their Docker Compose files. It aims for a straightforward, non-distracting user experience by staying close to the underlying Docker Compose files and the file system. Practically you can use it in the same way that you use the Portainer stack function. In this step by step guide I will show you how to install Dockman on your Synology NAS using Docker.

šŸ’”Note: This guide works perfectly with the latest Dockman v2.2.0Ā release.

  • STEP 1

Please Support My work by Making a Donation.

  • STEP 2

Install Container Manager via Synology ā€œPackage Centerā€. If you run an older DSM version (under 7.2), search for Docker instead of Container Manager.

Download Container Manager Synology Docker

  • STEP 3

Go toĀ File Station and open the docker folder. Inside the docker folder, create a new folder and name it dockman. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to use only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 1

  • STEP 4

Now create two new folders inside the dockman folder that you have previously created at STEP 3 and name them config and stacks. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 2

  • STEP 5

Go to Control Panel / Task Scheduler / Create / Scheduled Task / User-defined script. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Synology User Defined Script

  • STEP 6

Once you click on User-defined script, a new window will open. Follow the instructions below:

    1. General: In the Task field type in ā€œInstall Dockmanā€œ. Uncheck the ā€œEnabledā€ option. Select rootĀ User.
    2. Schedule: SelectĀ Run on the following dateĀ then select ā€œDo not repeatā€œ.
    3. Task Settings: Check ā€œSend run details by emailā€œ, add your email, then copy paste the code below in the Run command area. After that, click OK.
docker run -d --name=Dockman \
-p 8866:8866 \
-v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
-v /volume1/docker/dockman/stacks:/volume1/docker/dockman/stacks:rw \
-v /volume1/docker/dockman/config:/config:rw \
-e DOCKMAN_COMPOSE_ROOT=/volume1/docker/dockman/stacks \
-e DOCKMAN_AUTH_ENABLE=true \
-e DOCKMAN_AUTH_USERNAME=marius \
-e DOCKMAN_AUTH_PASSWORD=mariushosting \
-e DOCKMAN_MACHINE_ADDR=192.168.1.18 \
--restart=always \
ghcr.io/ra341/dockman:latest

Note: Before you paste the code above in the Run command area below, change the value for DOCKMAN_AUTH_USERNAME. Type in your own username. marius is an example for a username. You will need this username later at STEP 10.
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Run command area below, change the value for DOCKMAN_AUTH_PASSWORD. Type in your own password. mariushosting is an example for a password. You will need this password later at STEP 10.
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Run command area below, change the value for DOCKMAN_MACHINE_ADDR. Type in your own NAS local IP. 192.168.1.18 is an example for a NAS localhost IP.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 3

  • STEP 7

After you click OK onĀ STEP 6, a new warning pop up window will open. Click OK.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 4

After you click OK, type in your DSM Password then click Submit. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Synology Task Scheduler Confirm Admin Password

  • STEP 8

After you click Submit at STEP 7, select your ā€œInstall Dockmanā€ Task, then click the ā€œRunā€ tab. You will be asked to run Install Dockman ā€“ click OK. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 4 new

  • STEP 9

šŸŸ¢Please Support My work by Making a Donation. Almost 99,9% of the people that install something using my guidesĀ forget to support my work, or justĀ ignoreĀ STEP 1. Iā€™ve been very honest about this aspect of my work since the beginning: I donā€™t run any ADS, I donā€™t require subscriptions, paid or otherwise, I donā€™t collect IPs, emails, and I donā€™t have any referral links from Amazon or other merchants. I also donā€™t have any POP-UPs or COOKIES. I have repeatedly been told over the years how much I have contributed to the community. Itā€™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 10

The installation process can take up to a few seconds/minutes. It will depend on your Internet speed connection. Open your browser and type in http://Synology-ip-address:8866 Type in your own Username (DOCKMAN_AUTH_USERNAME) and Password (DOCKMAN_AUTH_PASSWORD) that you have previously added at STEP 6. Click SIGN IN. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 5

  • STEP 11

Click the +plus icon, then Compose Directory. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 6

  • STEP 12

Give a name to the compose yaml file. Click + CREATE. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 7

  • STEP 13

For example, I will copy and pasteĀ tab my docker compose stack from homarrĀ in theĀ EDITOR tab. Follow the instructions in the image below

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 8

  • STEP 14

In my example, I create my homarr folder name in File Station. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 9

  • STEP 15

After creating the respective folder for your own Docker compose Stack, click the DEPLOY tab, then START. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 10

  • STEP 16

Your Container / Containers will be deployed. Click on the ports. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 11

  • STEP 17

In my case, my Homarr container was successfully installed.

Dockman Synology NAS Set up 12

  • STEP 18

At STEP 11, you can also create a stack.env file for any Docker compose that requires a supplementary file like the stack.env present in my Firefly Importer article.

Enjoy Dockman!

šŸ†˜TROUBLESHOOTING

If you encounter issues by using this container, make sure to check out the Common Docker issuesĀ article.

Note: If you want to run Dockman over HTTPS, check out my article How to Run Docker Containers Over HTTPS. In order to make Dockman work via HTTPS, it’s mandatory to activate WebSocket.

Note: If you use a different volume than volume1, for example volume2, you need to change the following line at STEP 6

docker run -d --name=Dockman \
-p 8866:8866 \
-v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
-v /volume1/docker/dockman/stacks:/volume1/docker/dockman/stacks:rw \
-v /volume1/docker/dockman/config:/config:rw \
-e DOCKMAN_COMPOSE_ROOT=/volume1/docker/dockman/stacks \
-e DOCKMAN_AUTH_ENABLE=true \
-e DOCKMAN_AUTH_USERNAME=marius \
-e DOCKMAN_AUTH_PASSWORD=mariushosting \
-e DOCKMAN_MACHINE_ADDR=192.168.1.18 \
--restart=always \
ghcr.io/ra341/dockman:latest

with

docker run -d --name=Dockman \
-p 8866:8866 \
-v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
-v /volume2/docker/dockman/stacks:/volume1/docker/dockman/stacks:rw \
-v /volume2/docker/dockman/config:/config:rw \
-e DOCKMAN_COMPOSE_ROOT=/volume1/docker/dockman/stacks \
-e DOCKMAN_AUTH_ENABLE=true \
-e DOCKMAN_AUTH_USERNAME=marius \
-e DOCKMAN_AUTH_PASSWORD=mariushosting \
-e DOCKMAN_MACHINE_ADDR=192.168.1.18 \
--restart=always \
ghcr.io/ra341/dockman:latest

Note: Follow the instructions below to update your Dockman instance to the latest version:

  1. Open Container Manager.
  2. On the left sidebar in Container Manager, click Container.
  3. Select the dockman container, then click the Action tab and Stop it.
  4. Select the dockmanĀ container, then click the Action tab, then Delete.
  5. On the left sidebar in Container Manager, click Image.
  6. Select the ghcr.io/ra341/dockman:latestĀ image, then click the delete tab to delete it.
  7. Go to Control Panel. Click Task Scheduler. Select and Run the “Install Dockman” task.
  8. Enjoy the latest Dockman!
  9. Warning: Do NOT delete the dockman folder in File Station.

Note: Can I run Docker on my Synology NAS?Ā See the supported models.
Note: How to Back Up Docker Containers on your Synology NAS.
Note: How to Free Disk Space on Your NAS if You Run Docker.
Note: How to Schedule Start & Stop For Docker Containers.
Note: How to Activate Email Notifications.
Note: How to Add Access Control Profile on Your NAS.
Note: How to Change Docker Containers Restart Policy.
Note: How to Use Docker Containers With VPN.
Note: Convert Docker Run Into Docker Compose.
Note: How to Clean Docker.
Note: How to Clean Docker Automatically.
Note: Best Practices When Using Docker and DDNS.
Note: Some Docker Containers Need WebSocket.
Note: Find out the Best NAS Models For Docker.
Note: Activate Gmail SMTP For Docker Containers.

This post was updated on Sunday / September 21st, 2025 at 11:43 PM

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