Strapi is an open-source, Node. js based, Headless CMS that saves developers a lot of development time while giving them the freedom to use their favorite tools and frameworks. Strapi also enables content editors to streamline content delivery (text, images, video, etc) across any devices. In this step by step guide I will show you how to install Strapi on your Synology NAS using Docker & Portainer.

💡Note: This guide works perfectly with the latest Strapi v5.9.0 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

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 Strapi. After that, add the following instructions:

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

Check Enable HSTS

Destination:
Protocol: HTTP
Hostname: localhost
Port: 1337

• 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 strapi. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

• STEP 11

Now create two new folders inside the strapi folder that you created at STEP 10 and name them data and db. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

• STEP 12

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 13

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

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

services:
  db:
    image: postgres:17
    container_name: Strapi-DB
    hostname: strapi-db
    security_opt:
      - no-new-privileges:true
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD", "pg_isready", "-q", "-d", "strapidb", "-U", "strapiuser"]
      timeout: 45s
      interval: 10s
      retries: 10
    volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/strapi/db:/var/lib/postgresql/data:rw
    environment:
      POSTGRES_DB: strapidb
      POSTGRES_USER: strapiuser
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: strapipass
    restart: on-failure:5
    
  strapi:
    image: vshadbolt/strapi:5.6.0
    restart: on-failure:5
    container_name: Strapi
    hostname: strapi
    security_opt:
      - no-new-privileges:true
    healthcheck:
      test: wget --no-verbose --tries=1 --spider http://localhost:1337/ || exit 1
    environment:
      DATABASE_CLIENT: postgres
      DATABASE_HOST: db
      DATABASE_PORT: 5432
      DATABASE_NAME: strapidb
      DATABASE_USERNAME: strapiuser
      DATABASE_PASSWORD: strapipass
      DATABASE_SSL: false
      BUILD: true
      NODE_ENV: production
      JWT_SECRET: 50poY7gQJ6xyJv5Vb9K1zOTJlmd0ujQI
      ADMIN_JWT_SECRET: EzvqbWc902dbQyvoLI6sPKW8rEiP1Mgq
      API_TOKEN_SALT: dELGmaeQkHiQpAtfMTGCcO4Jj0GvhRfF
      TRANSFER_TOKEN_SALT: aDY8oCLYUPsw1fRu7RtW33DmbOIX2AGg
      #STRAPI_LICENSE: LicenseKey
    volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/strapi/data:/srv/app:rw
    ports:
      - 1337:1337
    depends_on:
      db:
        condition: service_healthy

Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for JWT_SECRET. (Generate your own 32 length JWT_SECRET.)
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for ADMIN_JWT_SECRET. (Generate your own 32 length ADMIN_JWT_SECRET.)
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for API_TOKEN_SALT. (Generate your own 32 length API_TOKEN_SALT.)
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for TRANSFER_TOKEN_SALT. (Generate your own 32 length TRANSFER_TOKEN_SALT.)
Note: If you want, you can also add your own Strapi License Key by removing the # in the code above. If you don’t have a Strapi License Key, then leave the code as it is with the #.

• STEP 14

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 15

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

• STEP 16

🟢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 17

Please wait approximately 10 minutes or you will get a blank synology error page if you try to connect too soon. Now open your browser and type in your HTTPS/SSL certificate like this https://strapi.yourname.synology.me that you have previously created at STEP 6. In my case it’s https://strapi.mariushosting.synology.me If everything goes right, you will see the Strapi administrator creation page. Type in your First name and Last name, your Email address and your own Password. Confirm your Password then click Let’s start. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 18

Select what type of work you do, then click Finish. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 19

Your Strapi Dashboard at a glance!

• STEP 20

On the left sidebar, if you click Settings, then Users, you can see that you are the Super Admin.

Enjoy Strapi!

🆘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: How to Back Up Docker Containers on your Synology NAS.
Note: Find out how to update the Strapi 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.
Note: Find out the Best NAS Models For Docker.
Note: Activate Gmail SMTP For Docker Containers.

This post was updated on Thursday / January 30th, 2025 at 11:40 PM