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Getting Started

This guide assumes you are new to Docker and just want Fleet running quickly.

Step 1: Install Docker

Pick your operating system tab. The docs will try to auto-select your OS if the browser reports it.

  1. Download and install: Docker Desktop for Mac
  2. Open Docker Desktop (Applications → Docker).
  3. Wait until the whale icon shows Docker Desktop is running.

Quick check (Terminal):

docker version
  1. Download and install: Docker Desktop for Windows
  2. Allow the installer to enable WSL 2 if prompted.
  3. Launch Docker Desktop and wait until it reports Running.

Quick check (PowerShell):

docker version

Option A: Docker Engine (recommended for servers)

  1. Install for your distro: Docker Engine install guide
  2. Start the service: 
    sudo systemctl enable --now docker
  3. Optional (avoid sudo for Docker): 
    sudo usermod -aG docker "$USER"

    Tip: Log out and back in after running this.

Option B: Docker Desktop (GUI)

  1. Download and install: Docker Desktop on Linux
  2. Launch Docker Desktop.
  3. Wait until it shows Running.

Quick check (Terminal):

docker version

Step 2: Choose your password

This image uses one shared password for MySQL (root + Fleet user) and Redis. Pick something strong and keep it handy.

You’ll paste this into Step 4 by replacing the default value.

FLEET_PASSWORD=your-strong-password

Step 3: Create the server private key

This image requires a server private key (32+ bytes). It encrypts MDM data, so keep it stable. Run this command in your terminal:

openssl rand -base64 32

In Step 4, replace the placeholder private key with the output you generated.

FLEET_SERVER_PRIVATE_KEY=your-generated-key

Step 4: Start the container

This command starts Fleet and stores data in the fleet-data volume. Update the two placeholders before running it:

  • FLEET_PASSWORD=change-me
  • FLEET_SERVER_PRIVATE_KEY=change-me
docker run \
  -d \
  -v fleet-data:/data \
  -e "FLEET_PASSWORD=change-me" \
  -e "FLEET_SERVER_PRIVATE_KEY=change-me" \
  -e "FLEET_LICENSE_KEY=" \
  -e "FLEET_SERVER_TLS=false" \
  -e "FLEET_SERVER_CERT=" \
  -e "FLEET_SERVER_KEY=" \
  -e "TZ=Etc/UTC" \
  -e "UMASK=022" \
  -e "PUID=1000" \
  -e "PGID=1000" \
  -p "1337:1337" \
  --restart always \
  --user 0:0 \
  --name fleet \
  cbnventures/fleet:latest

Step 5: Open Fleet

Visit:

http://localhost:1337

You’ll see the Fleet setup screen. Create your first admin user there.

Step 6: Confirm the services are healthy

Tail logs while the container starts:

docker logs -f fleet

Look for:

  • The startup banner
  • transport=http address=0.0.0.0:1337 msg=listening

Optional quick checks:

docker ps --filter name=fleet
docker exec fleet /usr/local/bin/fleet version

If anything looks off, see Troubleshooting.