Freqtrade Docker Setup
Containers simplify deployment only when configuration, strategies, models and trade data survive container replacement.
What must persist
Mount the Freqtrade user-data directory outside the container. Configuration, strategies, FreqAI models and the dry-run database should not disappear when an image is upgraded or a container is recreated.
Container lifecycle vs trading state
The container should be replaceable. Strategy files, configuration, model artifacts, logs and the trade database should live in persistent storage. If recreating the container erases the experiment record, the deployment boundary is wrong.
Start with dry-run
Keep dry_run enabled while validating exchange connectivity, pair selection, strategy loading, logs and restart behavior. A container starting successfully is not evidence that a strategy is profitable.
Operational checks
- Pin or deliberately update the Freqtrade image version.
- Use a restart policy for unexpected exits and host reboots.
- Keep secrets out of images and public repositories.
- Verify mounted data after a test container replacement.
- Review logs and disk growth periodically.
Next
Docker solves packaging, not server security or strategy validation.
Secure the VPS →Set up PAPER testing →