Guide to Frappe Framework, ERPNext & Addons Installation (Docker)

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, organizations need flexible, powerful, and adaptable tools to manage their daily operations effectively. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems fill this critical need by centralizing different aspects of an organization—such as finance, HR, manufacturing, inventory, and more—under one cohesive software environment.
Among the many ERP solutions available, Frappe Framework and ERPNext stand out for their open-source model, remarkable scalability, and extensive feature set. By combining a robust web application development framework (Frappe) with a fully integrated ERP platform (ERPNext), businesses can build tailor-made solutions that streamline workflow and improve productivity.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the benefits of Frappe and ERPNext, as well as provide a step-by-step installation using Docker. Additionally, we’ll explore how to install various add-on applications to further enhance your ERPNext environment.

What Is Frappe Framework?

Frappe Framework is a full-stack, Python and JavaScript-based framework designed to help developers build powerful web applications quickly and efficiently. The key features of Frappe Framework include:

Modular Architecture: Frappe is built around a modular structure, allowing for greater code organization and scalability.
Model-View-Controller (MVC) Paradigm: Frappe follows an MVC-like pattern, making it easier to separate data structures, business logic, and presentation.
Rapid Development: Developers can quickly define models, forms, and workflows, minimizing boilerplate code and speeding up the overall development cycle.
Open-Source Ecosystem: Supported by a global community of contributors, Frappe boasts an extensive library of extensions and integrations.

Because ERPNext is built on Frappe, businesses benefit from a tightly integrated system that is both powerful and user-friendly.

What Is ERPNext?

ERPNext is an open-source ERP platform that covers a wide range of business functions, including:

Accounting & Finance
Sales & Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Inventory & Warehouse Management
Human Resources (HR) & Payroll
Manufacturing & Production
Project Management
eCommerce

With a modular design, ERPNext allows you to implement only the functionality you need and scale later as your business grows. This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for small and medium enterprises, as well as larger organizations looking for an adaptable, cost-effective ERP solution.

Key Benefits of Using Frappe and ERPNext

Open-Source Freedom
Being open-source, Frappe and ERPNext not only save on licensing costs but also grant full control over the software’s source code. You can customize, extend, or integrate the system to fit unique business requirements.
Scalability and Modular Design
Both Frappe Framework and ERPNext support modular development, so you can start small and expand as your organization’s needs evolve.
Extensive Community Support
A thriving global community ensures that you’ll never be short of tutorials, add-ons, and direct support from fellow developers and businesses.
User-Friendly Interface
ERPNext’s intuitive UI helps reduce the learning curve, enabling employees to adapt more quickly and adopt best practices in no time.
Wide Range of Add-Ons
From HR management to eCommerce integrations, you can find or build custom modules to further tailor ERPNext to your business processes.

Setting Up Frappe & ERPNext with Docker

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the Docker setup, make sure you have the following tools installed on your local machine or server:

Docker: The container platform for building and running containers.
Docker Compose: For managing multi-container Docker applications.
Git: Required to clone repositories from GitHub.

Clone the Frappe Docker Repository

Open your terminal or command prompt, then clone the frappe_docker repository from GitHub and switch to its directory:

git clone https://github.com/frappe/frappe_docker.git
cd frappe_docker

Running ERPNext on x86_64 Architecture

If you’re on an x86_64 (Intel or AMD) based system, you can run the containers using the default Docker Compose configuration:

docker compose -f pwd.yml up -d

This command will bring up the Frappe and ERPNext containers in detached mode, letting you continue using your terminal for other tasks.

Running ERPNext on ARM64 Architecture (Ampere, M1, etc.)

If your machine uses an ARM64-based architecture (for example, Apple M1 or Ampere servers), you need to build multi-architecture images. First, clone the repository as shown above, then issue:

docker buildx bake --no-cache --set "*.platform=linux/arm64"

This step may take up to 15 minutes as Docker builds an ARM64-compatible image.

Next, update the pwd.yml file to specify the ARM platform for each service and to use the :latest tag for the ERPNext image:

nano pwd.yml

# In each service section, add:
platform: linux/arm64

# Also replace the current specified versions of the erpnext image with ":latest"

Finally, start up the containers:

docker compose -f pwd.yml up -d

First Boot and Site Creation

After running the containers, wait approximately 5 minutes for the site creation process to complete. You can check logs to monitor the status:

docker compose -f pwd.yml logs -f create-site

The login credentials for ERPNext are:
- Username: Administrator
- Password: admin

Note: Don’t be concerned by initial error messages; some services require extra time to initialize. Once they’re running, the errors will typically disappear.

Installing Add-On Applications to ERPNext

One of ERPNext’s biggest advantages is its ability to install additional applications (or “apps”). These can be industry-specific modules or feature-centric add-ons that extend your ERP’s capabilities.

To install applications, you’ll need to exec into the backend container and run bench commands:

docker compose exec backend bash

Once inside the container, you can proceed with bench commands:

Frappe HR (HRMS)

Frappe HR is an open-source HR management system built for the Frappe ecosystem. It provides modules for employee management, payroll, leave management, and more.

bench get-app hrms --resolve-deps
bench --site frontend install-app hrms

Frappe Raven (Communication Toolkit)

Frappe Raven offers streamlined communication features (like chat or messaging) that can integrate with ERPNext to facilitate real-time collaboration.

get-app https://github.com/The-Commit-Company/raven.git --resolve-deps
bench --site frontend install-app raven

Whitelabel (UI Theming)

Whitelabel helps you modify the UI of ERPNext, giving you the flexibility to customize your instance’s look and feel to match brand guidelines.

bench get-app https://github.com/bhavesh95863/whitelabel
bench --site frontend install-app whitelabel

WooCommerce Connector

If you’re running an eCommerce store with WooCommerce, this connector syncs orders, inventory, and customers between WooCommerce and ERPNext.

bench get-app https://github.com/libracore/woocommerceconnector.git
bench install-app woocommerceconnector

Frappe Wiki

Frappe Wiki provides a user-friendly platform for creating and managing documentation, FAQs, or any community-based knowledge base.

bench get-app https://github.com/frappe/wiki --resolve-deps
bench install-app wiki

ServiceMS

ServiceMS is tailored for service-based businesses, offering ticket management, field service tracking, and other functionalities to manage customer support.

bench get-app https://github.com/aakvatech/servicems
bench --site frontend install-app servicems

Frappe Books (Offline App)

Frappe Books is a simple, open-source bookkeeping software for small businesses and freelancers.

git clone https://github.com/frappe/books.git
cd /apps/books/
yarn

(Additional steps may be required to integrate Frappe Books with your ERPNext instance. Consult the official Frappe Books documentation for the most up-to-date instructions.)

IT Management

If your organization needs a toolset for managing IT assets, projects, and tasks, the IT Management app from phamos-eu can be added:

bench get-app it_management https://github.com/phamos-eu/it_management.git
bench install-app it_management

Post-Installation Steps

After installing any new add-on application, it’s crucial to migrate and clear caches:

bench --site frontend migrate
bench clear-cache
bench restart

Exit from the Docker shell and restart services from your host machine if necessary:

exit
docker compose -f pwd.yml restart

To list running apps on the frontend site:

bench --site frontend list-app

Real-World Use Cases and Best Practices

Retail and eCommerce
By integrating WooCommerce Connector or other eCommerce modules, retailers can unify their online store with ERPNext for real-time inventory tracking, sales order processing, and better customer insights.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
With ERPNext’s manufacturing and inventory modules, combined with custom workflows built on Frappe, companies can manage production schedules, raw material planning, and complex supply chains.
Service-Based Businesses
ServiceMS and Frappe Raven offer features for handling service tickets, chat support, and on-field service tasks, making them ideal for agencies, consultancies, or maintenance firms.
Human Resources
Frappe HR helps unify employee data, attendance, leave management, and payroll in a single system, reducing administrative overhead.
Financial Services and Bookkeeping
Frappe Books or the built-in accounting features of ERPNext can serve smaller accounting firms or freelancers looking for an open-source bookkeeping tool that scales.

Best Practices

Regular Backups: Use Docker volumes and routine backups to secure data.
Performance Monitoring: Keep an eye on container resources (CPU, RAM) and logs for errors.
Version Control: Track customizations in a separate Git repo to simplify future migrations and updates.
Test Changes in Staging: Always test new modules or configurations in a staging environment before pushing to production.
Community Involvement: Contribute to or consult the official Frappe and ERPNext forums when encountering issues or planning large-scale modifications.

Conclusion

Frappe Framework and ERPNext form a powerful, flexible, and cost-effective combination for managing a wide variety of business operations. The open-source nature of these tools puts complete control in the hands of the organization, enabling custom workflows and unique feature sets tailored to specific business models.

By using Docker for your deployment, you can streamline the setup process, maintain consistency across different development and production environments, and simplify future upgrades. Moreover, with an ever-expanding library of add-ons—ranging from HR management to eCommerce connectors—you can continually enrich your ERPNext ecosystem as your business grows and evolves.

If you’re looking for a scalable, user-friendly, and community-supported ERP platform, give Frappe and ERPNext a try. With this comprehensive guide, you can kickstart your journey toward a more organized, efficient, and data-driven enterprise.

Want More?

Check out the Frappe community extension list at gavindsouza/awesome-frappe.
Explore the ERPNext Documentation for in-depth guides and best practices.
Join the Frappe Forum or ERPNext Forum to connect with thousands of users and developers.

Ready to take control of your business operations? Start building your custom ERP solution today with Frappe Framework and ERPNext!