Native to Docker Migration

Migrating from Pterodactyl (Native → Docker)

# If using MySQL
mysqldump -u root -p --opt panel > ./panel.sql

# If using MariaDB
mariadb-dump -u root -p --opt panel > ./panel.sql

Prerequisites

• Linux system with root access
• Docker Engine and Docker Compose installed
• Docker expertise and basic system administration skills
• Consider Portainer for easier Docker management
• Avoid using Snap-based Docker installations on Ubuntu
• Enable Docker auto-start on boot

Hydrodactyl Installation

1. Create a new folder (e.g. hydrodactyl-panel) on your server in a safe location, and switch to it.

2. Download and configure the docker-compose.example.yml

3. Modify placeholder variables under x-common

4. If you are using built-in HTTPS, add port 443 (to the ports section under the panel container) and set the LE_EMAIL variable (in the panel section under x-common) to a registered Let's Encrypt email address.

5. Copy the following environment variables from your Pterodactyl .env to your docker-compose.yml:

   APP_KEY
   APP_URL
   DB_CONNECTION
   DB_HOST
   DB_PORT
   DB_DATABASE
   DB_USERNAME
   DB_PASSWORD
   HASHIDS_SALT
   HASHIDS_LENGTH # (if it's not 8)

   The following are only applicable if email is set up:

   MAIL_MAILER
   MAIL_HOST
   MAIL_PORT
   MAIL_USERNAME
   MAIL_PASSWORD
   MAIL_ENCRYPTION
   MAIL_FROM_ADDRESS
   MAIL_FROM_NAME
   APP_SERVICE_AUTHOR
   MAIL_DRIVER

6. If your database is running on the same machine as your panel, set it to listen on the IP 172.17.0.1, and change the DB_HOST environment variable to 172.17.0.1.

7. Rename docker-compose.example.yml to docker-compose.yml

8. Run the following command to start the panel:

   docker compose up -d

Your panel is now running! You can access it at the same URL as before, and use the same user accounts.