How to Set Up MongoDB with Docker in Minutes

Have you ever wanted to quickly set up MongoDB without the hassle of manual installations? Whether you’re a student tackling your next project or aiming to showcase your DevOps skills, the combination of Docker and MongoDB is your go-to solution.

“This quick guide will walk you through running MongoDB inside a Docker container — up and running in just a few minutes!”Say goodbye to the “it works on my machine” scenario!

Why choose Docker and MongoDB?

Before we dive into the commands, let’s briefly explore the advantages of this powerful duo:

✅ Portability – Functions seamlessly on any system that supports Docker (Windows, Mac, Linux).
✅ Rapid Setup – Eliminate the need for manual MongoDB installation on your local machine.
✅ Clean & Isolated – Your MongoDB instance operates within a container, keeping your operating system clutter-free.
✅ Ideal for Projects – Perfect for testing, learning, and even deploying real-world applications.

Prerequisites

A basic understanding of Docker (don’t worry, even beginners will find this straightforward!)

Docker installed on your machine (download it here).

Let’s Get Started! (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Pull the MongoDB Docker Image

First, you need to download the official MongoDB image from Docker Hub. Open your terminal and enter:

docker pull mongo

Tip: Think of Docker Hub as the app store for containers!

Step 2: Launch MongoDB in a Container

Now, let’s start MongoDB within a Docker container:

–name my-mongo: This designates the name of your container (you can change it if you wish).

-d: Runs MongoDB in the background (detached mode).

-p 27017:27017: Maps MongoDB’s default port to your local machine.

Congratulations! MongoDB is now successfully running in your Docker container!

Step 3: Establish a Connection to MongoDB

You can connect via MongoDB Compass (a graphical user interface tool) or through the Mongo Shell.

docker exec -it my-mongo mongosh

Congratulations! You are now in the MongoDB shell within your container!

Bonus: Inserting Data into MongoDB

Here’s a quick way to add some data:

use myDatabase

db.students.insertOne({ name: “Alex”, course: “Full Stack Development”, score: 95 })

db.students.find()

Output: You will see the document you just added! Easy and straightforward.

Conclusion

That’s it—you’ve successfully set up MongoDB using Docker like an expert!

Why this is important:

Rapid prototyping for projects.

Preparation for interviews or hackathons.

Gaining practical experience with modern technology tools.

Your Challenge:

Try creating additional collections such as courses or projects and play around with queries!

Pro Tip:

Want to set up MongoDB with a username and password? Just include this when launching the container:

docker run –name secure-mongo -e MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME=admin -e MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD=secret -d -p 27018:27017 mongo

Now you have authentication enabled as well!

Next Step:

Interested in learning how to use MongoDB with Node.js or Python? Stay tuned!