Maintenance & Recovery
Keep Your Docker Compose File
Keep a clean, editable copy of the file that defines the download stack so it can be restored without rebuilding every container from memory.
What is Docker Compose?
Docker Compose is a text file that describes several containers as one stack. It records the images, ports, folders, environment settings and the way containers connect to one another.
Why keep a separate copy?
The containers themselves can be downloaded again. Your Compose file is valuable because it records how your particular stack was assembled. A safe copy makes rebuilding much faster and reduces the chance of forgetting a port, folder or network setting.
Before storing or sharing a Compose file, replace VPN keys, passwords, tokens, public IP addresses and any other private values with clear placeholders.
Where should it be stored?
The working copy on the reference server is stored in the stack folder:
~/qbit-stack/docker-compose.ymlKeep another copy on your PC with the rest of the server handover and recovery files. A backup that exists only on the server is not enough if the boot drive fails.
Download the website example
This downloadable example uses the storage layout documented by the website and placeholder values where private information belongs.
How do I know the saved file is usable?
Open it in a text editor and confirm it contains the complete services list, volume paths and port mappings. The file should remain plain text and keep the .yml extension.
Required screenshot: The Compose file open in a text editor, with private values replaced by placeholders and the complete service list visible.