# Get Started with Docker

This guide is for complete beginners.

By the end, you will have Comet running and reachable from your browser.

## What You Need

- A machine with Docker and Docker Compose installed.
- A terminal.
- A text editor.

## Step 1: Create a Working Directory

```bash
mkdir comet-deploy
cd comet-deploy
```

## Step 2: Copy the Docker Compose File

Copy `deployment/docker-compose.yml` from this repository into your working directory as `docker-compose.yml`.

This compose file starts:

- `comet` on port `8000`
- `postgres` as the database

## Step 3: Create a Minimal `.env`

Create a `.env` file in the same directory.

Example:

```env
# Change this before exposing Comet publicly
ADMIN_DASHBOARD_PASSWORD=change-me-now
```

Notes:

- Comet runtime defaults come from `AppSettings` in `comet/core/models.py`.
- `.env-sample` is a reference template of available options.

## Step 4: Start the Stack

```bash
docker compose up -d
```

## Step 5: Verify It Is Running

```bash
docker compose ps
docker compose logs -f comet
```

In logs, confirm startup information appears.

You can also check health:

- `http://<your-host>:8000/health` should return `{"status":"ok"}`.

## Step 6: Open Comet

Open:

- `http://<your-host>:8000/configure` for configuration
- `http://<your-host>:8000/admin` for admin dashboard login

If `ADMIN_DASHBOARD_PASSWORD` is not set, Comet generates one at startup and logs it.

## Step 7 (Recommended): Add a Reverse Proxy

For beginner self-hosting, a reverse proxy is the simplest path to use a domain name and HTTPS.

Comet includes a minimal nginx example in `deployment/nginx.conf`:

```nginx
server {
    server_name example.com;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:8000;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    }
}
```

Beginner checklist:

1. Replace `example.com` with your domain.
2. Ensure `proxy_pass` points to your Comet service.
3. Add HTTPS/TLS on the proxy before using Stremio from another device/network.

## Next

Continue with [Configure and Install in Stremio](02-configure-and-install-stremio.md).