docker-pi-hole

Pi-hole is a network-wide ad blocker that runs on your own hardware. Instead of installing a browser extension that only blocks ads for one device, Pi-hole sits on your home network and blocks ad requests for every device connected to it: phones, tablets, smart TVs, game consoles, and computers all benefit without any per-device setup. This repository specifically contains the official Docker image, which is the packaging that lets you run Pi-hole inside a software container rather than installing it directly on a machine.

Docker containers are a way of bundling software with everything it needs to run, so it works the same way regardless of what operating system or hardware you are using. This approach makes Pi-hole easier to install, update, and remove compared to a direct installation. It also keeps Pi-hole isolated from the rest of your system.

The README walks through a quick setup using a configuration file (a docker-compose file) that tells Docker how to run the container. You copy the provided template, fill in your timezone and a web interface password, then start it with a single command. Pi-hole stores its data in folders on your machine so that settings and block lists survive when you update to a newer version of the image.

Once running, Pi-hole provides a web interface for managing settings, viewing query logs, and updating the lists of domains it blocks. The container also handles automatic weekly updates to the block lists in the background. Optionally, it can serve as the DHCP server for your network, which is the service that assigns IP addresses to devices when they connect.

Versioning follows a date-based scheme rather than traditional version numbers. Full documentation covering advanced configuration, upgrading, and tips lives on the Pi-hole documentation website.