[GH-ISSUE #4717] Feature Request: Panel-only version without bundled NGINX #2997

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opened 2026-02-26 07:37:32 +03:00 by kerem · 1 comment

kerem commented

2026-02-26 07:37:32 +03:00

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Originally created by @Dragon-Knight on GitHub (Aug 19, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/NginxProxyManager/nginx-proxy-manager/issues/4717

Hi,

First of all, thanks for the great project 🙏 It’s incredibly useful and saves a lot of time.

I’d like to propose a panel-only version of Nginx Proxy Manager (without a bundled NGINX binary).
Right now, NPM ships its own embedded NGINX inside the container. While this is convenient, it also has some downsides:

NGINX updates are tied to container image releases → delays in receiving security patches.
Users can’t upgrade NGINX independently or run custom builds with extra modules.
In some environments, NGINX is already installed system-wide or runs in a separate container, and it would be better if NPM only managed configs instead of bundling its own web server.

Proposal

Provide an alternative Docker image (e.g. nginxproxymanager:panel-only) that runs just the admin panel and generates configs.
Leave NGINX itself to be installed/maintained separately by the user.

Benefits

Faster security updates (users patch NGINX independently).
Flexibility to run custom or enterprise NGINX builds.
Clearer separation between the control plane (panel) and the data plane (NGINX).

The default image could stay the same for users who prefer the “all-in-one” setup. The panel-only variant would just give more freedom for advanced users.

Would this be something the maintainers would consider?

Thanks again for the awesome work 🚀

Originally created by @Dragon-Knight on GitHub (Aug 19, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/NginxProxyManager/nginx-proxy-manager/issues/4717 Hi, First of all, thanks for the great project 🙏 It’s incredibly useful and saves a lot of time. I’d like to propose a panel-only version of Nginx Proxy Manager (without a bundled NGINX binary). Right now, NPM ships its own embedded NGINX inside the container. While this is convenient, it also has some downsides: - NGINX updates are tied to container image releases → delays in receiving security patches. - Users can’t upgrade NGINX independently or run custom builds with extra modules. - In some environments, NGINX is already installed system-wide or runs in a separate container, and it would be better if NPM only managed configs instead of bundling its own web server. Proposal - Provide an alternative Docker image (e.g. nginxproxymanager:panel-only) that runs just the admin panel and generates configs. - Leave NGINX itself to be installed/maintained separately by the user. Benefits - Faster security updates (users patch NGINX independently). - Flexibility to run custom or enterprise NGINX builds. - Clearer separation between the control plane (panel) and the data plane (NGINX). The default image could stay the same for users who prefer the “all-in-one” setup. The panel-only variant would just give more freedom for advanced users. Would this be something the maintainers would consider? Thanks again for the awesome work 🚀

kerem commented

2026-02-26 07:37:32 +03:00

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@Tukks commented on GitHub (Aug 29, 2025):

Maybe we can link an external installation in the docker compose file. I need to give it a try.

Ex :

volumes:
 - path/to/nginx:path/to/nginx

If this doesn't work, I think it's really a must to not fall behind the security patch

@Tukks commented on GitHub (Aug 29, 2025): Maybe we can link an external installation in the docker compose file. I need to give it a try. Ex : ```yml volumes: - path/to/nginx:path/to/nginx ``` If this doesn't work, I think it's really a must to not fall behind the security patch

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starred/nginx-proxy-manager-NginxProxyManager#2997

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