diff --git a/.env.compose b/.env.compose
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5846b95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.env.compose
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# Copy this file and fill in your values before deploying:
+#   cp .env.compose .env.compose.local
+#
+# Then run:
+#   docker compose --env-file .env.compose.local up -d --build
+
+# URL your browser (and the SSR server) uses to reach the API.
+# LAN example:      http://192.168.1.100:8000
+# Reverse proxy:    https://pocketchords.yourdomain.com/api
+VITE_API_URL=http://localhost:8000
+
+# Host ports (change if something else is already using them)
+API_PORT=8000
+APP_PORT=3000
diff --git a/app/Dockerfile b/app/Dockerfile
index 207bf93..16edc48 100644
--- a/app/Dockerfile
+++ b/app/Dockerfile
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ FROM node:20-alpine AS build-env
 COPY . /app/
 COPY --from=development-dependencies-env /app/node_modules /app/node_modules
 WORKDIR /app
+# VITE_API_URL is baked into the bundle at build time (both SSR and client use it)
+ARG VITE_API_URL=http://localhost:8000
+ENV VITE_API_URL=$VITE_API_URL
 RUN npm run build
 
 FROM node:20-alpine
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b4638dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+# PocketChords – homeserver deployment template
+#
+# Usage:
+#   cp .env.compose .env.compose.local   # fill in your values
+#   docker compose --env-file .env.compose.local up -d --build
+#
+# VITE_API_URL is baked into the JS bundle at build time.
+# Set it to the URL your BROWSER (and SSR server) will use to reach the API.
+# On a LAN homeserver: http://192.168.x.x:8000
+# Behind a reverse proxy: https://pocketchords.example.com/api
+
+services:
+  api:
+    build:
+      context: .
+      dockerfile: Dockerfile
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    ports:
+      - "${API_PORT:-8000}:8000"
+    environment:
+      DATABASE_URL: sqlite:///app/data/pocket-chords.db
+    volumes:
+      - api-data:/app/data
+
+  app:
+    build:
+      context: ./app
+      dockerfile: Dockerfile
+      args:
+        VITE_API_URL: ${VITE_API_URL:-http://localhost:8000}
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    ports:
+      - "${APP_PORT:-3000}:3000"
+    environment:
+      PORT: 3000
+    depends_on:
+      - api
+
+volumes:
+  api-data:
+    driver: local