---
title: Stack Management
description: Create, deploy, control, and remove Docker Compose stacks.
---

A **stack** in Sencho is a Docker Compose project: a directory inside your `COMPOSE_DIR` that contains at least a `compose.yaml` (or `docker-compose.yml`) file. Sencho automatically discovers every subdirectory as a stack.

<Frame>
  <img src="/images/stack-management/create-stack-dialog.png" alt="Create New Stack dialog" />
</Frame>

## Creating a stack

Click **Create Stack** in the left sidebar. Enter a name and click **Create**.

**Naming rules:**
- Lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only (e.g. `my-app`, `nextcloud`)
- No spaces or special characters
- Must be unique — duplicates are rejected

Sencho creates a new directory inside `COMPOSE_DIR` with a blank `compose.yaml` file. You'll land in the editor automatically.

## The stack list

All discovered stacks appear in the left sidebar. Each shows a color-coded status dot:

| Color | Meaning |
|-------|---------|
| Green | All containers running |
| Red | One or more containers exited |
| Gray | No containers / status unknown |

Use the **search box** above the list to filter stacks by name.

## Deploying a stack

Select a stack and click **Deploy** in the stack header. This runs `docker compose up -d` — pulling images if needed and creating or recreating containers.

<Frame>
  <img src="/images/editor/editor-overview.png" alt="Stack editor with control buttons" />
</Frame>

## Controlling a running stack

The stack header exposes four actions:

| Button | Command | What it does |
|--------|---------|--------------|
| **Stop** | `docker compose stop` | Stops containers without removing them. State is preserved. |
| **Restart** | `docker compose restart` | Restarts all containers in the stack. |
| **Update** | `docker compose pull` + `up -d` | Pulls the latest image tags and recreates containers. |
| **Delete** | `down` + removes files | Stops and removes containers, then deletes the stack directory. |

<Warning>
  **Delete** is irreversible. It removes the stack directory — including `compose.yaml`, `.env`, and any bind-mounted files stored there. Back up important files before deleting.
</Warning>

## Stack context menu

Right-click or use the **⋮** button on any stack in the sidebar to access:

<Frame>
  <img src="/images/stack-management/stack-context-menu.png" alt="Stack context menu showing Alerts option" />
</Frame>

- **Alerts** — configure metric-based alerting rules for this stack
- **Check for updates** — manually trigger an image update check

## Converting a `docker run` command

If you have an existing `docker run` command and want to turn it into a Compose stack, go to the **Home** tab and paste it into the "Convert Docker Run to Compose" field. Sencho converts it to YAML that you can save as a new stack.
