Architecture Decisions (ADRs)
ADR-010: Docker & Dokploy VPS Deployment Strategy
Architectural selection of Dokploy and multi-stage Docker builds for production deployment.
ADR-010: Docker & Dokploy VPS Deployment Strategy
- Status:
ACCEPTED - Deciders: Lead Architect
- Date: September 2026
Context
We evaluated Kubernetes (high cost, immense operational complexity for small-to-medium ISPs), pure systemd scripts (brittle dependency management), and self-hosted PaaS tooling (Dokploy / Coolify).
Decision
Adopt Dokploy on a Linux VPS with Docker Compose:
- Multi-stage Docker builds separating Python compilation from the slim production runner.
- Dokploy provides automated Git-push triggers, rolling container replacement, Let's Encrypt SSL management, and environment variable configuration.
- Native
/healthz/readiness probe integration.
Consequences
- Positive: Low infrastructure cost (runs on a $20-40/mo VPS); deterministic container runtimes; automated zero-downtime rollouts.
- Negative: Single VPS node requires regular offsite automated database backups for disaster recovery.