> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://doc.duaer.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://doc.duaer.com/deploy/host-n8n.md).

# Host Duaer with Docker

From Duaer v3, Docker is the only supported deployment. If the instance check finds you are not in a container, it opens this page.
## Containers are the support boundary

1. Stop any process that runs Duaer outside a container.
2. Start from the official image or an image you maintain from the same source.
3. Bring the [encryption key](/hosting/configuration/encryption-keys.md) and database with you.

Running Duaer directly outside a container is marked unsupported. Upgrade checks and deprecation notes link here. Queue mode, task runners, and environment variables stay under [hosting](/hosting/scaling/queue-mode.md) and the deploy child pages. This page only answers whether you should keep running as a bare process.
## Questions

### Does Duaer still support running outside a container after v3?

Not as a supported deployment. From Duaer v3, Docker is the only supported way to deploy. If the instance check finds you are not in a container, it links here.