MongoDB with replica set — Docker image

Your app needs a replica set — Node.js driver, Mongoose, Change Streams, transactions all require it. The official mongo image runs standalone; mongo-rs extends it with a replica set on first run. One container, no init scripts.

docker run -d -e MONGO_PASSWORD=secret nesvet/mongo-rs

Docker Compose

docker compose up -d

Example with app service:

services:
  mongo:
    image: nesvet/mongo-rs
    environment:
      MONGO_PASSWORD: ${MONGO_PASSWORD:-secret}
    volumes:
      - mongo-data:/data/db
    restart: unless-stopped

  app:
    image: myapp:latest
    environment:
      MONGO_URI: mongodb://root:${MONGO_PASSWORD:-secret}@mongo:27017/?directConnection=true
    depends_on:
      mongo:
        condition: service_healthy

volumes:
  mongo-data:

Features

• Auto-init replica set — rs.initiate() on first run, no manual setup
• Built-in healthcheck — 15s interval, ready for depends_on: condition: service_healthy
• Env-based config — MONGO_RS, MONGO_USER, MONGO_PASSWORD, MONGO_AUTHDB
• Secrets support — MONGO_PASSWORD_FILE for Docker secrets / Kubernetes
• FCV auto-update — featureCompatibilityVersion aligned with MongoDB version

Use cases

→ Local dev with Node.js / Mongoose
No more MongoServerSelectionError: connection refused. Your driver expects a replica set; mongo-rs provides one.

→ Docker Compose with depends_on
Healthcheck built in. depends_on works out of the box.

→ Same setup dev → prod
Single node locally, add nodes in production. Same connection string format, no code changes.

Usage

Variable	Default	Description
MONGO_RS	rs0	Replica set name
MONGO_AUTHDB	admin	Authentication database
MONGO_USER	root	Admin username
MONGO_PASSWORD	iddqd	Admin password
MONGO_PASSWORD_FILE	—	Path to file with password (Docker secrets)

Connection string (single-node, use directConnection=true): options

mongodb://root:${MONGO_PASSWORD}@mongo:27017/?directConnection=true

Production

• Change default password — iddqd is for dev only

• Use secrets — MONGO_PASSWORD_FILE with Docker secrets or an external secret manager:

  services:
    mongo:
      image: nesvet/mongo-rs
      environment:
        MONGO_PASSWORD_FILE: /run/secrets/mongo_password
      secrets:
        - mongo_password
      volumes:
        - mongo-data:/data/db
      restart: unless-stopped
  
  secrets:
    mongo_password:
      file: ./secrets/mongo_password.txt
  
  volumes:
    mongo-data:

• See SECURITY.md for vulnerability reporting

Testing

./test.sh

Support this project

mongo-rs is free, open-source, and maintained by one developer.

If it saves you time or improves your MongoDB replica set setup:

• ⭐ Star the repo — it helps discoverability
• 💙 Support on Patreon — priority features & long-term maintenance

Contributing

See CONTRIBUTING.md

License

MIT