Docker Desktop and Zabbix Container Stack deployed with VSCode and Copilot

Having fun and learning from containers in my Docker Test Lab

Intro

This practical how-to shows how to install a Zabbix container monitoring stack on Docker Desktop, using VS Code Insiders and Copilot Chat as the development workflow. I was just testing and see how these products come together.

Why this setup?

• Docker Desktop gives a polished local container environment on Windows and macOS.
• Zabbix is a robust open-source monitoring solution for hosts, containers, and apps.
• VS Code Insiders offers the latest editor features, especially for Docker, YAML, and Copilot Chat.
• Copilot Chat helps you write configuration, validate YAML, and troubleshoot fast.

What you will build

• Docker Desktop
• Zabbix server
• Zabbix web frontend
• MariaDB backend
• Zabbix agent

Step 1: Install Docker Desktop

1. Download Docker Desktop from the official site.
2. Enable:
   • WSL 2 backend on Windows
   • Docker Compose support
3. Confirm with:
   • docker version
   • docker compose version

Docker Desktop makes the entire Zabbix stack repeatable and easy to reset and update.

Step 2: Create the Docker Compose stack

Use the code below in a docker-compose.yml file:

version: "3.9"services:  db:    image: mariadb:10.11    container_name: zabbix-db    environment:      MYSQL_DATABASE: zabbix      MYSQL_USER: zabbix      MYSQL_PASSWORD: zabbixpass      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: rootpass    volumes:      - db_data:/var/lib/mysql  zabbix-server:    image: zabbix/zabbix-server-mysql:latest    container_name: zabbix-server    depends_on:      - db    environment:      DB_SERVER_HOST: db      MYSQL_DATABASE: zabbix      MYSQL_USER: zabbix      MYSQL_PASSWORD: zabbixpass    ports:      - "10051:10051"  zabbix-web:    image: zabbix/zabbix-web-nginx-mysql:latest    container_name: zabbix-web    depends_on:      - zabbix-server      - db    environment:      DB_SERVER_HOST: db      MYSQL_DATABASE: zabbix      MYSQL_USER: zabbix      MYSQL_PASSWORD: zabbixpass      ZBX_SERVER_HOST: zabbix-server      PHP_TZ: UTC    ports:      - "8080:8080"  zabbix-agent:    image: zabbix/zabbix-agent:latest    container_name: zabbix-agent    depends_on:      - zabbix-server    environment:      ZBX_HOSTNAME: zabbix-agent-container      ZBX_SERVER_HOST: zabbix-servervolumes:  db_data:

• Because I wanted the localhost on https port 443, I added the Caddy container image for the certificate. (just ask Copilot in VSCode and he will support you with the installation, you will see 😉 )

Step 3: Use VS Code Insiders

1. Open the stack folder in VS Code Insiders.
2. Install these extensions:
   • Docker
   • YAML
   • Remote – Containers
3. Use the editor to:
   • author docker-compose.yml
   • review container logs
   • validate YAML
   • keep your stack code clean

Step 4: Ask Copilot Chat

Use Copilot Chat inside VS Code for:

• validating docker-compose.yml
• explaining Zabbix service relationships
• generating triggers and item templates
• debugging connection issues

Example prompt:

• “Why is zabbix-web failing to connect to MariaDB in this compose stack?”
• What I really like is that Copilot does the work for you on demand and solves issues between containers.

Step 5: Start the stack

Run:

docker compose up -d

Verify:

• docker ps
• docker logs zabbix-server
• http://localhost:8080

Default login:

• user: Admin
• password: zabbix
• Please change this password when you are in Zabbix Monitoring.

Step 6: Monitor containers

In Zabbix, configure:

• CPU, memory, disk, and network items
• container health triggers
• dashboards for container metrics
• optional Docker API monitoring
• And I’m monitoring my Docker Host with a Zabbix Windows Agent.

Community tips

• Keep YAML modular and readable.
• Use Copilot Chat for quick config ideas.
• Leverage Docker Desktop dashboard for container health.
• Expand later with Zabbix proxy, TLS, or app-specific templates.
• Use Docker scout and Copilot for support remediation in security.

Conclusion

This workflow blends:

• easy local secure container setup with Docker Desktop
• enterprise-grade monitoring with Zabbix
• cutting-edge authoring in VS Code Insiders
• real-time help from Copilot Chat

Author: James van den Berg

I’m Microsoft Architect and ICT Specialist
and
Microsoft MVP Cloud and Datacenter Management
Microsoft MVP Windows Insider
Microsoft Tech Community Insider
Microsoft Azure Advisor