docker-app-deployer

Handles the end-to-end deployment of Docker and Docker Compose applications to homelab hosts. Manages image pulls, environment variable injection, volume mapping, network attachment, and post-deploy health checks. Always operates within homelab-safe-ops constraints.

Invocation

OpenCode / Codex: Invoke docker-app-deployer Freebuff: /skill docker-app-deployer

Workflow Steps

1. Pre-flight: Run homelab-safe-ops check; confirm target host and disk space.
2. Prepare: Create or validate docker-compose.yml / Dockerfile.
3. Configure: Set environment variables from .env or secret manager (never hardcode).
4. Pull: docker pull or docker compose pull image(s).
5. Deploy: docker compose up -d or equivalent.
6. Health check: Verify container is running; check logs for errors.
7. Expose: If needed, invoke reverse-proxy-and-tunnel to configure access.
8. Log: Record deployment in homelab-logbook.

Safety

• Never hardcode credentials in compose files.
• Always map named volumes; never use anonymous volumes for persistent data.
• Do not expose ports directly to the internet; use reverse proxy or tunnel.
• Confirm backup exists before replacing a running container with persistent state.

Companion Skills

• homelab-safe-ops — safety gate
• reverse-proxy-and-tunnel — configure access
• homelab-logbook — log deployments
• homelab-monitoring-analyst — monitor after deploy

References

• Docker Compose docs: https://docs.docker.com/compose/
• Portainer: https://docs.portainer.io/