DashLit is a lightweight, self-hosted start page designed for your server, offering a simple and customizable application hub. It features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to create and organize their start page without editing files. In this step by step guide I will show you how to install DashList on your Synology NAS using Docker & Portainer.

💡Note: This guide works perfectly with the latest DashLit v0.0.6 release.

• 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 Synology NAS, skip this STEP. Attention: Make sure you have installed the latest Portainer version.

• STEP 3

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

• STEP 4

Log into Portainer using your username and password. On the left sidebar in Portainer, click on Stacks then + Add stack. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 5

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

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

services:
  dashlit:
    image: ghcr.io/codewec/dashlit:latest
    container_name: DashLit
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "nc -z 127.0.0.1 3000 || exit 1"]
      interval: 10s
      timeout: 5s
      retries: 3
      start_period: 90s
    environment:
      ORIGIN: http://192.168.1.18:3242
      PASSWORD: mariushosting
      SECRET_KEY: dOxZYTTZgXKMHkqLBIQVImayQXAVWdzGBPuFJKggzcgvgPJPXpWzqzKaUOIOGGIr
      NODE_ENV: production
    ports:
      - 3242:3000
    volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/dashlit:/app/data:rw
    restart: on-failure:5

Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for ORIGIN. Type in http://yourownNASlocalIP followed by :3242
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for PASSWORD. Type in your own Password. mariushosting is an example for a password. You will need this password later at STEP 9.
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for SECRET_KEY. (Generate your own Random 64 length SECRET_KEY.)

• STEP 6

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 7

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

• STEP 8

🟢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 9

The installation process can take up to a few seconds/minutes. It will depend on your Internet speed connection. Now open your browser and type in http://Synology-ip-address:3242 If everything goes right, you will see the DashLit Login page. Type in your own PASSWORD that you have previously added at STEP 5. Click Login. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 10

Click Add group. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 11

Create a Title and a Description. Click Save. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 12

Add your first item. Click Add item. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 13

Add your app details. Click Save. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 14

Your DashLit Start up page at a glance!

Enjoy DashLit!

🆘TROUBLESHOOTING

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

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

Note: Can I run Docker on my Synology NAS? See the supported models.
Note: How to Back Up Docker Containers on your Synology NAS.
Note: Find out how to update the DashLit container with the latest image.
Note: How to Add USB Support on DSM 7.2.
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 / July 27th, 2025 at 3:29 AM