Docker Compose Full Deployment Process: Roles and Dependencies of Each Service in docker-compose.yaml

The Docker Compose version of Dify is well suited as a training entry point, as it fully illustrates the relationships between major services.

This is well supported by official public documentation. The official Dify Docker Compose documentation directly lists the core services and dependent components launched at startup, including api, worker, worker_beat, web, plugin_daemon, as well as db_postgres, redis, nginx, sandbox, ssrf_proxy, vector databases, and more. Therefore, this training material can be built entirely on official self-hosting documentation rather than relying solely on hands-on experience.

1. Compose Deployment Structure Confirmed by Public Sources

1. Compose Is Best Suited as a Training Entry Point, Not a Production HA Solution

The official documentation positions Docker Compose as the quick start path, indicating it is best suited for teaching, PoC, single-node validation, and understanding system architecture. In formal enterprise environments, the next step is typically Kubernetes / Helm.

2. The Official Documentation Already Lists the Main Service Roles

This means training should not just cover “how to start it up” but should take the opportunity to clarify the responsibilities of the frontend, API, asynchronous tasks, plugins, code execution, and dependent components.

3. .env Is a Key File in Compose Training

The official documentation explicitly requires copying .env.example to .env before starting. Therefore, training materials must include environment variable comprehension as a foundational topic, rather than just providing a single docker compose up -d command.

2. Core Services

• api: Main API service
• worker: Asynchronous task execution
• worker_beat: Scheduled task scheduling
• web: Frontend console
• plugin_daemon: Plugin runtime

3. Common Dependent Components

• db_postgres: Primary database
• redis: Cache and queue
• weaviate or other vector databases: Knowledge retrieval index
• nginx: Unified entry point
• sandbox: Isolated code execution environment
• ssrf_proxy: Network isolation helper

4. Understanding Dependencies

User requests typically reach nginx first, then route to web / api. Asynchronous tasks are handled by the worker. The knowledge base index depends on the database, object storage, and vector database.

5. Training Focus

Ensure trainees not only know how to start the system but also understand which service failure affects which type of functionality.

Public Source References

note.com

• Starter guide for “Local Dify”: Introduction to benefits, setup, and local LLM configuration | https://note.com/weel_media/n/n51a43dc02000

zenn.dev / Official Documentation / Other Public Pages

• Deploy Dify with Docker Compose (Japanese) | https://docs.dify.ai/ja/self-host/quick-start/docker-compose
• Docker Compose Deployment (Japanese Legacy) | https://legacy-docs.dify.ai/ja-jp/getting-started/install-self-hosted/docker-compose
• Deploy Dify with Docker Compose | https://docs.dify.ai/en/self-host/quick-start/docker-compose

Confirmed Information from Public Sources

• The official documentation publicly lists core services and dependent components launched with Compose
• Compose is better suited for teaching, PoC, and single-node validation rather than a final HA solution
• .env and service role explanation should be core content in deployment training