How to Deploy Directus Open-Source Data Platform & Headless CMS on Contabo VPS with Docker

Why Developers Love Directus as an Open-Source Backend

Unlike traditional headless CMS platforms that store data in proprietary JSON blobs, Directus connects directly to your SQL database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite) and instantly generates production-ready REST and GraphQL endpoints with granular role-based permissions, asset transformations, and an intuitive visual data studio.

Deploying Directus with Docker Compose

mkdir -p ~/directus && cd ~/directus
nano docker-compose.yml

services:
  directus:
    image: directus/directus:latest
    container_name: directus
    restart: always
    ports:
      - "127.0.0.1:8055:8055"
    environment:
      - KEY=YOUR_64_CHARACTER_APP_KEY
      - SECRET=YOUR_64_CHARACTER_APP_SECRET
      - DB_CLIENT=pg
      - DB_HOST=directus_db
      - DB_PORT=5432
      - DB_DATABASE=directus
      - DB_USER=directus_user
      - DB_PASSWORD=db_secret_password
      - ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@yourdomain.com
      - ADMIN_PASSWORD=admin_strong_password
    depends_on:
      - directus_db

  directus_db:
    image: postgres:16-alpine
    restart: always
    volumes:
      - ./data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    environment:
      - POSTGRES_DB=directus
      - POSTGRES_USER=directus_user
      - POSTGRES_PASSWORD=db_secret_password

docker compose up -d

Secure behind Nginx on port 8055, and begin querying your database via modern GraphQL and REST APIs.