Installing WordPress Template Using Docker

 🎯 Objective
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Understand Docker basics and container architecture

Use Docker Compose to install WordPress and MySQL

Access and customize a WordPress template via browser

Manage containers and troubleshoot basic issues

⏱️ Duration
2.5 hours (can be split into two sessions)

👥 Target Audience
Beginners in web development or DevOps

Students, educators, outreach participants

Anyone interested in deploying WordPress locally or on cloud

📦 Materials Needed
Laptops with Docker and Docker Compose installed

Internet access

Sample WordPress template (free theme or starter content)

Text editor (VS Code recommended)

🗂️ Module Breakdown
1️⃣ Introduction to Docker (20 min)
Goal: Understand containerization Topics:

What is Docker?

Images vs. containers

Benefits for web development

Classroom Cue: “Think of containers as portable mini-computers!”

2️⃣ Environment Setup (20 min)
Goal: Prepare system for deployment Steps:

Install Docker and Docker Compose

Create a project folder: wordpress-docker

Open terminal and navigate to folder

Visual Tag: [Docker whale icon + folder structure]

3️⃣ Writing Docker Compose File (30 min)
Goal: Define services for WordPress and MySQL Steps:

Create docker-compose.yml file

Add services:

wordpress: image, ports, volumes

db: MySQL image, environment variables

Sample snippet:

yaml
version: '3.1'

services:
  wordpress:
    image: wordpress
    ports:
      - "8080:80"
    environment:
      WORDPRESS_DB_HOST: db
      WORDPRESS_DB_USER: user
      WORDPRESS_DB_PASSWORD: pass
      WORDPRESS_DB_NAME: wpdb
    volumes:
      - wordpress_data:/var/www/html

  db:
    image: mysql:5.7
    environment:
      MYSQL_DATABASE: wpdb
      MYSQL_USER: user
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: pass
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: rootpass
    volumes:
      - db_data:/var/lib/mysql

volumes:
  wordpress_data:
  db_data:
Classroom Cue: “This file is your blueprint!”

4️⃣ Running and Accessing WordPress (25 min)
Goal: Launch containers and access site Steps:

Run: docker-compose up -d

Visit http://localhost:8080

Complete WordPress setup wizard

Choose and activate a template/theme

Visual Tag: [Browser + WordPress dashboard]

5️⃣ Customizing the Template (30 min)
Goal: Modify theme and add content Steps:

Install a free theme (e.g., Astra, OceanWP)

Add pages: Home, About, Contact

Customize header, footer, and layout

Classroom Cue: “Make it yours!”

6️⃣ Managing Containers (15 min)
Goal: Learn basic Docker commands Steps:

docker ps, docker stop, docker rm

docker-compose down

Backing up volumes

Visual Tag: [Terminal + container list]

7️⃣ Wrap-Up and Showcase (10 min)
Goal: Reflect and share Steps:

Participants demo their WordPress sites

Discuss deployment options (cloud, local)

Share next steps: plugins, security, backups

🧠 Optional Extensions
Homework: Customize a WordPress blog and write a post

Advanced Module: Deploy to cloud using Docker + NGINX + SSL

Outreach Adaptation: Use bilingual content and regional themes