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+# Docker Volumes
+
+## Purpose
+
+Docker volumes store persistent data outside of containers.
+
+Containers can be deleted and recreated without losing data stored in volumes.
+
+## Why Volumes Matter
+
+A container is temporary.
+
+A volume contains the important data.
+
+Example:
+
+* Delete container = service disappears
+* Keep volume = data remains
+* Recreate container = service returns with data intact
+
+## Current Volumes
+
+| Volume         | Purpose                           |
+| -------------- | --------------------------------- |
+| uptime-kuma    | Monitoring data                   |
+| portainer_data | Portainer configuration           |
+| gitea_data     | Git repositories, users, settings |
+
+## Commands
+
+List volumes:
+
+```bash
+docker volume ls
+```
+
+Inspect a volume:
+
+```bash
+docker volume inspect VOLUME_NAME
+```
+
+Example:
+
+```bash
+docker volume inspect uptime-kuma
+```
+
+## Real World Example
+
+Uptime Kuma stores:
+
+* Monitors
+* Notifications
+* Settings
+* Historical uptime data
+
+inside its Docker volume.
+
+If the container crashes, the data remains.
+
+## Lessons Learned
+
+* Containers are disposable.
+* Volumes contain important data.
+* Backups should focus on volumes.
+* Persistent services should always use volumes.
+* Volumes make upgrades and migrations easier.
+
+## Backup Strategy
+
+Important volumes to back up:
+
+* gitea_data
+* uptime-kuma
+* portainer_data
+
+## Date Created
+
+June 15, 2026