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This guide’s main path is for Camunda 8: it configures MySQL as optional RDBMS secondary storage for the Orchestration Cluster in Docker Compose. It is not the default database for the Compose quickstart, which uses file-based H2 secondary storage. A separate note covers Camunda 7, whose Docker image uses different datasource settings and treats the database differently.

What MySQL does in each Camunda version

Version and setup MySQL’s role Configuration approach
Camunda 8 Docker Compose Optional RDBMS secondary storage for the Orchestration Cluster. The default Compose setup uses file-based H2 instead. Configure the Orchestration service’s secondary-storage environment variables, add a MySQL service, and provide the MySQL JDBC driver. Camunda’s Compose configuration guide describes the defaults and configuration options.
Camunda 7 Docker image Datasource for the Camunda 7 Spring Boot-based Run distribution. Set Spring datasource environment variables, including the JDBC driver class, URL, username, and password. See the Camunda 7 Docker image repository.

Do not combine the two configurations: Camunda 8’s secondary-storage variables and driver instructions are not interchangeable with Camunda 7’s datasource settings.

Configure Camunda 8 MySQL Docker Compose secondary storage

Camunda’s documented Compose example uses a separate mysql:8.4 service. The Orchestration service connects to it using the Compose service name as the JDBC hostname; both services share the Compose network. The example also initializes a database and application credentials, and retains MySQL data in a named volume. Follow the Camunda Compose secondary-storage guide for the configuration matching your selected quickstart files.

1. Set matching database and connection values

Configure the Orchestration service with these documented settings:

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  • CAMUNDA_DATA_SECONDARY_STORAGE_TYPE=rdbms
  • CAMUNDA_DATA_SECONDARY_STORAGE vendor ID=mysql (use the documented vendor-ID environment variable in the Compose example)
  • A JDBC URL shaped like jdbc:mysql://mysql-secondary:3306/camunda_secondary?serverTimezone=UTC
  • The same database username and password configured for the MySQL service

The example names the MySQL service mysql-secondary and initializes the camunda_secondary database. Keep the URL hostname aligned with the actual Compose service name and the initialized database name aligned with the URL. Use the exact variable names and syntax from the official guide rather than treating the illustrative URL as a complete Compose file.

2. Add the MySQL service and persistent volume

Use the documented mysql:8.4 image, initialize the same database and application credentials used by Camunda, and mount a named volume at /var/lib/mysql. Ensure the MySQL and Orchestration services share a network and that the orchestration service depends on or otherwise starts only when MySQL is reachable. The volume preserves database files across container recreation; it is not a substitute for a backup plan.

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3. Supply MySQL Connector/J

Camunda 8 images do not include the MySQL JDBC driver. Download the appropriate MySQL Connector/J JAR and place it in the mounted driver-lib folder before starting the stack, following the guide’s exact mount path. Without the driver in a location loaded by the image, the service cannot use that JDBC connection. Camunda’s RDBMS configuration documentation also covers driver availability and database privilege requirements.

4. Start the appropriate Compose setup

Use the lightweight or full Compose invocation documented for the quickstart files you selected. The MySQL secondary-storage example is separate from bundled services such as Elasticsearch or the full-stack PostgreSQL service: those services do not automatically configure MySQL as the Orchestration Cluster’s RDBMS secondary storage. For the current setup and scope, consult the Docker Compose quickstart.

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Before you start

  • Check that Camunda and MySQL use matching database names and application credentials.
  • Verify the JDBC hostname is the MySQL Compose service name and both containers are on a shared network.
  • Confirm the database is initialized or created as expected.
  • Confirm the Connector/J JAR is present in the mounted directory that the image loads.
  • Retain the named MySQL data volume when recreating containers.

Alternative: Camunda 8 Run with MySQL

Camunda 8 Run has its own MySQL workflow; do not copy the Compose environment-variable configuration into it mechanically. The Camunda 8 Run secondary-storage guide shows a MySQL 8.4 container initialized with a database, user, and password, plus a secondary-storage configuration containing an explicit JDBC URL and credentials.

That workflow also requires the official Connector/J driver. The guide describes supplying it with --extra-driver or copying it into the distribution’s library directory. Make sure the database is reachable before starting Camunda 8 Run.

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Camunda 7 Docker MySQL configuration

For Camunda 7’s Docker image, configure the Spring Boot datasource rather than Camunda 8 secondary storage. The image repository documents settings for the driver class, JDBC URL, username, and password. Its documented MySQL driver class is com.mysql.cj.jdbc.Driver; it says the image contains drivers for H2, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. This driver-inclusion statement applies to that Camunda 7 image, not Camunda 8.

Use the repository’s instructions for the Camunda 7 image and the exact release you run. The evidence here does not establish a compatibility matrix for every Camunda release, MySQL patch, Docker engine, or host operating system.

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Is the Camunda Compose MySQL setup suitable for production?

No: Camunda describes its Docker Compose quickstart as intended for local development and evaluation, and directs production deployments to Kubernetes with Helm. The quickstart example does not establish a production security posture, high availability, backup strategy, throughput, or sizing. Choose deployment guidance for your target environment instead of treating the example volume and service configuration as a production architecture.

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