FAQ
Common questions about deploying, databases, pricing, and the CLI on DockHosting.
How do I deploy on DockHosting?
Install the CLI, then run dock deploy from your project's root directory. See the Quickstart for the full walkthrough — you'll have a live HTTPS URL in about a minute.
What can I deploy?
Any Dockerfile, or a project in Node.js, NestJS, Next.js, Laravel, PHP, Python (Django/FastAPI), Go, Ruby, Spring Boot, or a static site — see Deploying for a guide per stack.
Is DockHosting free?
Yes — the Free plan includes 3 projects, 1 database, and a free .dockhosting.dev subdomain with automatic SSL, no credit card required. See Pricing & billing.
Why did my app go to sleep?
On the Free plan, an app with no incoming traffic sleeps to avoid billing for idle resources, and wakes on the next request in under a second. Pro and Team apps are always-on. See Scale to zero.
How do I connect a database to my app?
Attach it from either the project's or the database's settings — the connection string is injected into your app's environment automatically. See Create a database.
Can I connect to my database from my own computer?
Yes — turn on public access in the database's settings, then connect over TLS with any standard client for that engine. See Connect from your computer.
Does deploying cause downtime?
No. The new version must pass a health check before it receives any traffic, and the previous version keeps serving until then — see Zero-downtime deploys.
How do I add a custom domain?
Add it in your project's Domains settings and point your DNS as shown there. A certificate issues automatically once DNS resolves, and renews itself from then on. See Domains & SSL.
My deploy failed — where do I start?
Check Troubleshooting — it covers the errors that come up most often, with the actual fix for each. If it's not covered there, open a support ticket with your project name and the error text.
Do you have a CLI?
Yes — dock, free on every plan, for macOS, Linux, and Windows. See the CLI reference.