Answer is an open-source knowledge-based community software. You can use it to quickly build your Q&A community for product technical support, customer support, user communication, and more. In this step by step guide I will show you how to install Answer on your Synology NAS using Docker.  Note: The guide proposed below is using SQLite as database, but if you want to use use the stable and secure MySQL as database, just follow my guide on How to Install Answer MySQL on Your Synology NAS.

Note: This guide works perfectly with the latest Answer v1.4.1 release.

💡Note: Check out my new guide on how to Install Answer With MySQL as a Database.

• STEP 1

Please Support My work by Making a Donation.

• STEP 2

Install Container Manager via Synology “Package Center”. If you run an older DSM version (under 7.2), search for Docker instead of Container Manager.

• STEP 3

Make sure you have a synology.me Wildcard Certificate. Follow my guide to get a Wildcard Certificate. If you already have a synology.me Wildcard certificate, skip this STEP.

• STEP 4

Go to Control Panel / Login Portal / Advanced Tab / click Reverse Proxy. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 5

Now click the “Create” button. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 6

After you click the Create button, the window below will open. Follow the instructions in the image below.

On the General area, set the Reverse Proxy Name description: type in Answer. After that, add the following instructions:

Source:
Protocol: HTTPS
Hostname: answer.yourname.synology.me
Port: 443

Check Enable HSTS

Destination:
Protocol: HTTP
Hostname: localhost
Port: 9835

• STEP 7

On the Reverse Proxy Rules click the Custom Header tab. Click Create and then, from the drop-down menu, click WebSocket. After you click on WebSocket, two Header Names and two Values will be automatically added. Click Save. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 8

Go to Control Panel / Network / Connectivity tab/ Check Enable HTTP/2 then click Apply. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 9

Go to Control Panel / Security / Advanced tab/ Check Enable HTTP Compression then click Apply. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 10

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

• STEP 11

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

• STEP 12

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

1. General: In the Task field type in Install Answer. Uncheck the “Enabled” option. Select root User.
2. Schedule: Select Run on the following date then select “Do not repeat“.
3. Task Settings: Check “Send run details by email“, add your email then copy paste the code below in the Run command area. After that, click OK.

docker run -d --name=answer \
-p 9835:80 \
-v /volume1/docker/answer:/data \
--restart always \
apache/answer

• STEP 13

After you click OK on STEP 12 a new warning pop up window will open. Click OK.

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

• STEP 14

After you click Submit on STEP 13, select your “Install Answer” Task then click the “Run” tab. You will be asked to run Install Answer – click OK. 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://answer.yourname.synology.me/install In my case it’s https://answer.mariushosting.synology.me/install If everything goes right, you will see the Answer installation page. Choose your favorite language then click Next. Note: If you forget to add /install after your synology.me DDNS, you will get an error message.

• STEP 17

From the drop-down menu select SQLite as database then click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 18

Click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 19

Add your own credentials plus your full synology.me DDNS address then click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 20

Click Done. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 21

At the top right of the page click Log in then type in your own Email and Password that you have previously added at STEP 19. Click Log in. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 22

Add your first question! Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 23

At the top right of the page click on the Profile icon then Admin to personalize your Answer website. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Enjoy Answer!

🆘TROUBLESHOOTING

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

Note: Can I run Docker on my Synology NAS? See the supported models.
Note: Find out how to update the Answer container with the latest image.
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.

This post was updated on Thursday / January 9th, 2025 at 8:15 PM