Nginx Proxy Manager

Docker Desktop is required to run Nginx Proxy Manager as a container.

Steps:

1. Download Docker Desktop from docker.com
2. Run the installer (.dmg file)
3. Move Docker.app to Applications
4. Launch Docker Desktop and wait for it to start
5. Verify installation: docker --version

Create a folder for Nginx Proxy Manager and add the configuration file.

mkdir -p ~/nginx-proxy-manager
cd ~/nginx-proxy-manager
nano docker-compose.yml

Add the following content:

services:
  app:
    image: 'jc21/nginx-proxy-manager:latest'
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - '80:80'    # Public HTTP
      - '443:443'  # Public HTTPS
      - '81:81'     # Admin UI
    environment:
      TZ: "Australia/Melbourne"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data
      - ./letsencrypt:/etc/letsencrypt

Launch Nginx Proxy Manager using Docker Compose.

cd ~/nginx-proxy-manager
docker compose up -d

Wait about 2 minutes for first-time setup (database initialization).

Access the admin interface to configure your admin account.

Steps:

1. Open browser: http://localhost:81
2. Default credentials:
   • Email: admin@example.com
   • Password: changeme
3. You'll be prompted to create a new admin account
4. Fill in your details and click Create Admin User

Create a proxy host to forward traffic from your domain to your local server.

Steps:

1. Click Proxy Hosts in the sidebar
2. Click Add Proxy Host (top right)
3. Details tab:
   • Domain Names: yourdomain.com
   • Scheme: http
   • Forward Hostname/IP: 192.168.1.100 (your local server IP)
   • Forward Port: 8080 (or your service port)
4. Click Save

Nginx Proxy Manager includes free SSL certificate support via Let's Encrypt.

Steps:

1. Edit your Proxy Host
2. Go to the SSL tab
3. Select Request a new SSL Certificate
4. Check Force SSL
5. Check I Agree to Let's Encrypt Terms of Service
6. Click Save

✅ Certificate will be automatically issued and configured!
✅ Renews automatically before expiration

Forward external traffic to your Nginx Proxy Manager server.

Steps:

1. Access your router admin panel (usually http://192.168.1.1)
2. Find Port Forwarding or Virtual Server
3. Create these forwards:

   External Port	Internal IP	Internal Port	Protocol
   80	YOUR_MAC_IP	80	TCP
   443	YOUR_MAC_IP	443	TCP

4. Save settings and reboot router if required

Your domain should now:

• ✅ Forward to your local server
• ✅ Have a valid SSL certificate
• ✅ Redirect HTTP to HTTPS automatically

Useful Commands:

# View logs
docker logs nginx-proxy-manager-1

# Restart
docker compose restart

# Stop
docker compose down

# Update
docker compose pull
docker compose up -d