Get Started with Kestra: Launch Locally with Docker and Run Your First Workflow
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Launch Kestra locally, create a simple flow, and run your first execution in a few minutes.

Watch the quickstart video

Prerequisites

  • Install Docker in your environment. We recommend Docker Desktop.
  • If you use Windows, make sure WSL is enabled.

Step 1: Start the Kestra container

Once Docker is running, start Kestra with a single command:

docker run --pull=always --rm -it -p 8080:8080 --user=root \
  --name kestra \
  -v kestra_data:/app/storage \
  -v kestra_db:/app/data \
  -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
  -v /tmp:/tmp \
  kestra/kestra:latest server local

If you re-run the command and Docker reports You have to remove (or rename) that container to be able to reuse that name., remove the old container with docker rm -f kestra or pick a different --name.

This command does the following:
  • starts Kestra on port 8080
  • stores local files in the kestra_data Docker volume
  • persists the H2 database in the kestra_db Docker volume
  • mounts /tmp and the Docker socket so script and container tasks can run locally

The container is ready when the logs show Main server is running at http://...:8080.

Step 2: Open the Kestra UI

Open http://localhost:8080 in your browser. You will see the Kestra UI when the container is running. From here, create your user, create a flow with the AI Copilot, and complete the deep-dive tutorial to begin building your first flows.


Stop and reset Kestra

To stop the container, press Ctrl+C in the terminal where it’s running. Because the docker run command uses --rm, the container is removed automatically on exit — but the kestra_data and kestra_db Docker volumes are preserved.

When you re-run the same docker run command, Kestra picks up those volumes and your previous state (flows, executions, and your user account) is restored. If the sign-up page appears again, your account already exists — sign in with the credentials you created on the first run.

To start completely fresh, remove the volumes before re-running:

docker volume rm kestra_data kestra_db

Next steps

You’ve taken the product tour, executed your first flow, and explored Kestra. Next, follow the documentation in this order to build on what you’ve learned:

  • Continue with a Tutorial to add inputs, outputs, triggers, and more task types.
  • Follow the full Installation guide for persistent local or distributed setups.
  • Explore the available Plugins to integrate with external systems, and begin orchestrating your applications, microservices, and processes.
  • Contribute to Kestra – whether a developer or not, we value outside contribution of all kinds: Plugins, Features, Documentation, Feature Requests, and Bug Reports. Get involved!

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