Applications
Coolify deploys applications as Docker containers on a connected server. Create an Application from a Git repository, a Dockerfile entered without Git, or an existing Docker image. A Git-based Application can also use a Docker Compose definition from its repository.
Start with Understand Applications if you are new to self-hosting or are moving from a managed deployment platform. The section explains which infrastructure Coolify manages, what remains your responsibility, and how to choose a deployment method.
Use Services for software distributed as a ready-made Coolify service template. Use Applications when you control the source code, Docker configuration, or image reference.
Find the right section
| If you want to | Start here |
|---|---|
| Learn what an application is and where it runs | What is an application |
| Choose between Git source, a Dockerfile without Git, Git-based Docker Compose, and an existing image | Choose a deployment method |
| Connect GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Gitea, or another Git provider | Source code |
| Configure how Coolify builds source code | Builds |
| Manage domains, ports, variables, health checks, and advanced settings | Configuration |
| Inspect deployments, previews, rolling updates, and rollbacks | Deployments |
| Use logs, the terminal, backups, or resource operations | Operations |
Start with your first application
If you have not deployed an application before, follow Deploy your first app. The guide uses nginx:alpine so you can verify the server, Docker, proxy, and generated domain before connecting source code.
After the first deployment, choose the path that matches the application you want to run.
Understand applications
Learn where an application runs and which responsibilities move from a managed platform to you.
Choose a deployment method
Select Git source, a Dockerfile without Git, Git-based Docker Compose, or an existing image.
Configure an application
Find the settings for builds, domains, variables, storage, health checks, and operations.