To keep urlwatch’s jobs, settings, hooks, and change-detection cache when its Docker container is replaced, bind-mount a host directory to /data/urlwatch. The mjaschen/urlwatch-docker project uses ./data:/data/urlwatch in its Compose example. Put urls.yaml, urlwatch.yaml, and any hooks.py in that host directory; the cache file, cache.db, belongs there too.
What persists, and why
A container’s writable filesystem is not the right place for data you need to keep across container recreation. The Docker project’s examples make the host-side data directory the durable working area by mounting it at /data/urlwatch. Keep the mount in place and preserve the host directory when updating or recreating the container.
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The scheduled command documented by the project reads urls.yaml, urlwatch.yaml, hooks.py, and cache.db from that working directory. The cache matters: it holds prior results used to detect changes. Persisting only the YAML files would leave the cache behind in a replaced container.
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Prepare urlwatch’s working files
Create the host data directory
mkdir -p dataThe Docker project expects monitored jobs in data/urls.yaml. Add jobs using urlwatch’s job syntax; the project points to its example jobs file and urlwatch’s Jobs documentation for details. Those reference URLs are not included here, so check the project README and documentation matching the image you choose rather than copying a job format from another version.
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Set up configuration and notifications
Copy the project’s data/urlwatch.template.yaml to data/urlwatch.yaml, then configure a reporter, such as SMTP, if you want notifications. Do not put real credentials in a public repository. Reporter-specific settings belong under the report key in urlwatch’s global configuration; the global file also controls general behavior. The urlwatch 2.29 manual documents urlwatch --edit-config as a way to edit the global configuration, but verify compatibility with the version in your selected image.
By default, the documented configuration reports new pages and errors, but not unchanged pages. Its job_defaults section can apply shared settings globally or to selected job kinds, including URL, shell, and browser jobs.
Run it as a Docker Compose service
Use the Compose file supplied by mjaschen/urlwatch-docker, which includes the image’s service configuration and the persistent mount. Its key mapping is ./data:/data/urlwatch. Do not substitute paths from a different urlwatch image: community images may use other working directories.
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From the project directory, make sure the host-side
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Start the service with
docker compose up -d. -
Follow its output with
docker compose logs -f. UseCtrl+Cto stop following the logs; this does not stop the service. -
Stop the service with
docker compose down. The bind-mounted host data remains in./data.
The project’s README uses the floating image reference ghcr.io/mjaschen/urlwatch. The README does not establish an immutable tag or digest, so check the project’s current instructions before pinning or updating an image. Keep a backup of the host data directory before changing images or configuration.
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Run it directly with docker run
The project also documents direct Docker use. From the directory containing data, a foreground run is:
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docker run --rm --interactive --tty
--volume "$(pwd)/data":/data/urlwatch
--volume /etc/localtime:/etc/localtime:ro
ghcr.io/mjaschen/urlwatchFor a background container that restarts unless you stop it, the project’s approach is:
docker run --detach
--restart unless-stopped
--name urlwatch
--volume "$(pwd)/data":/data/urlwatch
--volume /etc/localtime:/etc/localtime:ro
ghcr.io/mjaschen/urlwatchFollow its output with docker logs --follow urlwatch. Both forms mount the host data directory at the image’s expected working path. The foreground form is useful for observing a run directly; the detached example gives a named container and restart policy. The documentation does not establish that either approach is faster or inherently safer.
Schedule and change the run interval
The Docker project says its default schedule runs every 15 minutes. That is the documented default for this image, not a guarantee for urlwatch generally. To run hourly, its README shows this command:
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Troubleshoot common persistence and startup problems
-
Jobs or settings disappear after recreating the container: confirm the service still mounts the host directory to
/data/urlwatch, and that your files are in the host-side directory named in the mount. With the documented Compose mapping, that is./data. -
urlwatch cannot find a configuration or jobs file: check the exact filenames and capitalization:
urls.yamlandurlwatch.yaml. Check that they are inside the mounted directory, not beside it. -
Notifications do not arrive: inspect the reporter configuration under
reportinurlwatch.yaml, verify the mail service details and credentials, and review the container logs. Keep secrets out of public source control.Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
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Hourly runs do not happen: changing the command alone does not change the schedule. The project specifies that the modified crontab must also be mounted into the container; confirm the crontab mount and its schedule.
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A configuration option or command fails after changing images: the urlwatch manual referenced here is for version 2.29, while the Docker README’s floating image reference does not identify an immutable version. Check the version and configuration supported by the image actually running.
-
Files appear in a different location than expected: do not assume every urlwatch image uses
/data/urlwatch. The cited project uses that path; other community images may use paths such as/root/.urlwatch.
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ScreenshotNeo is a separate website screenshot API and MCP server, not a urlwatch runner or replacement for urlwatch’s monitoring schedule. If your task is simply to capture a page image or PDF rather than watch it for changes, one GET request can return a screenshot. For example, save this response as a WebP file:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpSee the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. It removes supported cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; bot checks, blank pages, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed. Its MCP server provides screenshot tools for AI agents. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month without a card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Learn more at ScreenshotNeo. Sign up free for 1,000 screenshots a month, with no card required.
Which launch method should you choose?
| Method | Use it when | Lifecycle commands | Persistence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Docker Compose | You want a project-level service workflow. | docker compose up -d, docker compose logs -f, docker compose down |
./data:/data/urlwatch in the documented example |
| Direct Docker | You prefer to launch one container directly. | docker logs --follow urlwatch for the detached example |
--volume "$(pwd)/data":/data/urlwatch |
Both documented methods persist the same working directory. Choose based on how you prefer to manage the container, not an assumed difference in performance or security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does stopping the container delete urlwatch’s cache?
Not when using the documented host bind mount: cache.db is kept in the host-side data directory.
Can I use this mount with any urlwatch Docker image?
No. The /data/urlwatch path and schedule described here belong to mjaschen/urlwatch-docker; verify the working path and startup behavior for another image.
Quick Recap
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