Docker Compose & Kubernetes YAML Generator
Describe your app once, then switch between a docker-compose.yml service and a Kubernetes Deployment plus Service. Fill in the image, port mappings, environment variables, volumes, restart policy, replicas, namespace and resource limits, and copy or download the YAML. Values like 8080:80 or yes get quoted correctly, so the YAML parser doesn't read them as numbers or booleans.
Reviewed by Vincenzo Manto, Founder & Lead Developer · Last updated September 30, 2026
How it works
- 1
Choose Docker Compose or Kubernetes at the top.
- 2
Enter the app name, image, ports, environment variables and the options specific to that target.
- 3
Copy or download the YAML and apply it with docker compose up or kubectl apply -f.
Example
Name: web
Image: nginx:1.27
Ports: 8080:80
Env: NODE_ENV=production
Restart: unless-stoppedservices:
web:
image: "nginx:1.27"
ports:
- "8080:80"
environment:
NODE_ENV: production
restart: unless-stoppedFrom Compose to Kubernetes
Docker Compose is the fastest way to run a multi-container stack on one machine. Kubernetes schedules replicated containers across a cluster instead, but both describe the same basics: an image, ports, environment variables and limits. Generating both formats from one set of inputs makes it easier to move a working Compose setup to a cluster later.
A few defaults worth keeping
Pin image tags instead of using latest so deployments stay reproducible, and set memory and CPU limits so one container can't starve the others. In Compose, a restart policy like unless-stopped helps. In Kubernetes, add readiness and liveness probes and keep secrets in Secret objects rather than plain environment values.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Kubernetes output contain?
A Deployment with your image, replicas, environment variables and optional CPU and memory limits, plus a Service of the type you choose that exposes the ports you listed. The two documents are separated by ---, so a single kubectl apply -f handles both.
Why are some values in quotes?
YAML converts unquoted values like yes, no, on or 8080:80 into booleans or numbers in some parsers. The generator quotes those cases so the values arrive as the strings you typed.
Can I add several services?
This generator produces one application at a time, which covers most starter files. Generate each service separately and merge them under the services key, or use it as a base for a larger file.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No, the YAML is built in your browser, so environment variables and image names stay on your device. Still avoid putting real secrets in the manifest itself; use Docker secrets or Kubernetes Secrets instead.