[GH-ISSUE #386] Migrate from Docker to Ubuntu (20.04) VM #306

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opened 2026-02-25 21:31:39 +03:00 by kerem · 3 comments

kerem commented

2026-02-25 21:31:39 +03:00

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Originally created by @derAlff on GitHub (Jun 9, 2021).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/ciur/papermerge/issues/386

Originally assigned to: @ciur on GitHub.

Hi Eugen,

at the moment, I run Papermerge with your included Docker-Compose file (from your folder in the project). I think, your project is very interesting and I want to use it in future for store all my documents. For that, I have one question and one idea.

For first the question:

Is it possible to migrate the documents from docker container to a VM with installed Papermerge? The background is, I have stored some documents in my docker instance :)

If that is possible, then here my idea:

Please add a button for migrate/export/import the data from/to current Papermerge-instance. I think, that makes some things easier ;)

Thank you

Have a nice Day!

Originally created by @derAlff on GitHub (Jun 9, 2021). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/ciur/papermerge/issues/386 Originally assigned to: @ciur on GitHub. Hi Eugen, at the moment, I run Papermerge with your included Docker-Compose file (from your folder in the project). I think, your project is very interesting and I want to use it in future for store all my documents. For that, I have one question and one idea. For first the question: - Is it possible to migrate the documents from docker container to a VM with installed Papermerge? The background is, I have stored some documents in my docker instance :) If that is possible, then here my idea: - Please add a button for migrate/export/import the data from/to current Papermerge-instance. I think, that makes some things easier ;) Thank you Have a nice Day!

kerem

2026-02-25 21:31:39 +03:00

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kerem commented

2026-02-25 21:31:39 +03:00

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@ciur commented on GitHub (Jun 16, 2021):

Regarding your first question:

Is it possible to migrate the documents from docker container to a VM with installed Papermerge? The background is, I have stored some documents in my docker instance :)

Yes, it is definitely possible. In general you need to migrate 1. your data directory (called media directory, the place where you files actually live) and 2. your database (sql dump).
For a more general overview of this topic you may have a look at backup section in documentation.

Also, you might be interested in storage structure documentation which explains how/where papermerge saves your documents.

Regarding second point:

Please add a button for migrate/export/import the data from/to current Papermerge-instance. I think, that makes some things easier ;)

Yes, I completely agree that at this point backing up papermerge's data is very nerdy and very command line dependent.
I have that in mind, and I will add in future versions (probably in 2.2) a GUI based backup utility i.e you will be able to import/export data just by clicking in nice user interface.

Thank you for taking your time and opening this ticket!

@ciur commented on GitHub (Jun 16, 2021): Regarding your first question: > Is it possible to migrate the documents from docker container to a VM with installed Papermerge? The background is, I have stored some documents in my docker instance :) Yes, it is definitely possible. In general you need to migrate 1. your data directory (called media directory, the place where you files actually live) and 2. your database (sql dump). For a more general overview of this topic you may have a look at [backup section](https://papermerge.com/docs/Installation/backup.html) in documentation. Also, you might be interested in [storage structure](https://papermerge.readthedocs.io/en/latest/developers_guide/storage_structure.html) documentation which explains how/where papermerge saves your documents. Regarding second point: > Please add a button for migrate/export/import the data from/to current Papermerge-instance. I think, that makes some things easier ;) Yes, I completely agree that at this point backing up papermerge's data is very nerdy and very command line dependent. I have that in mind, and I will add in future versions (probably in 2.2) a GUI based backup utility i.e you will be able to import/export data just by clicking in nice user interface. Thank you for taking your time and opening this ticket!

kerem commented

2026-02-25 21:31:39 +03:00

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@lucasff commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2022):

@necotec I don't agree so much with the idea of having a full blown VM. It's too much resources for a single application. The docker workflow is essentially a VM for Papermerge only. You can use docker volumes and mount them accordingly so you'll always have it ready to start a container without losing your data, config and state.

@lucasff commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2022): @necotec I don't agree so much with the idea of having a full blown VM. It's too much resources for a single application. The docker workflow is essentially a VM for Papermerge only. You can use docker volumes and mount them accordingly so you'll always have it ready to start a container without losing your data, config and state.

kerem commented

2026-02-25 21:31:39 +03:00

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@derAlff commented on GitHub (Jan 21, 2022):

@necotec I don't agree so much with the idea of having a full blown VM. It's too much resources for a single application. The docker workflow is essentially a VM for Papermerge only. You can use docker volumes and mount them accordingly so you'll always have it ready to start a container without losing your data, config and state.

Jeah, i develop my new infrastructure at the moment. Docker container in portainer.io are really cool. My idea was only for good support and maintenance for the VMs.
I stay on docker containers ;)

@derAlff commented on GitHub (Jan 21, 2022): > @necotec I don't agree so much with the idea of having a full blown VM. It's too much resources for a single application. The docker workflow is essentially a VM for Papermerge only. You can use docker volumes and mount them accordingly so you'll always have it ready to start a container without losing your data, config and state. Jeah, i develop my new infrastructure at the moment. Docker container in portainer.io are really cool. My idea was only for good support and maintenance for the VMs. I stay on docker containers ;)