🐳 Watchtower

Watchtower automatically updates running Docker containers when a newer image is available. It pulls the new image, stops the existing container, and recreates it with the same deployment options.

⚠️ Maintenance status: The official Watchtower repository was archived on December 17, 2025 and is no longer maintained. Treat it as a legacy option and review current alternatives before using it on an important server.

⭐ Features

• Type: Docker container update automation
• License: Apache-2.0
• Open Source: ✅ Yes
• Best suited for: Homelabs and non-critical personal services
• Highlights:
  • Automatically checks Docker image registries for updates
  • Recreates containers while preserving their original options
  • Supports scheduled checks and notification integrations
  • Can be limited to containers explicitly marked for updates

🚀 Quick Start

services:
  watchtower:
    image: containrrr/watchtower:1.7.1
    container_name: watchtower
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock
    command: --schedule "0 0 4 * * *"

The example checks for updates daily at 04:00. Start it with:

docker compose up -d

🔐 Security Notes

• Mounting /var/run/docker.sock gives Watchtower broad control over the Docker daemon.
• Do not expose the Docker socket over the network.
• Pin a version instead of using latest when predictable updates matter.
• Test updates and keep backups of application data before enabling automation.
• The upstream project does not recommend Watchtower for commercial or production environments.

🔗 Links

• Archived GitHub repository
• Documentation
• Docker Hub
• Latest release