Getting started
MDMbox is distributed as a Docker image: healthsamurai/mdmbox.
It requires a PostgreSQL 14+ database. All configuration is done through environment variables.
Standalone deployment
In standalone mode, MDMbox manages its own database. You need two containers: PostgreSQL and MDMbox.
Start the services:
docker compose up
MDMbox is available at http://localhost:3000. Open http://localhost:3000/api/docs for the Swagger UI.
As Aidbox plugin
When you already have an Aidbox instance, MDMbox can connect to the same PostgreSQL database. Both services share FHIR data.
Each MDMbox release is built for a specific Aidbox version. Contact us to get a build compatible with your Aidbox version.
Pass the same BOX_* environment variables to MDMbox that your Aidbox uses:
The BOX_* environment variables must match your Aidbox configuration exactly. MDMbox and Aidbox share the same PostgreSQL instance, FHIR data, and engine settings.
Configuration reference
Database
MDMbox uses the standard Aidbox database environment variables:
| Variable | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
BOX_DB_HOST | PostgreSQL host | Yes |
BOX_DB_PORT | PostgreSQL port (default: 5432) | No |
BOX_DB_DATABASE | Database name | Yes |
BOX_DB_USER | Database user | Yes |
BOX_DB_PASSWORD | Database password | Yes |
FHIR engine
MDMbox includes an embedded FHIR engine that uses the standard Aidbox BOX_* environment variables. In shared mode, these must match your Aidbox configuration. See the docker-compose examples above for the full list.
Key settings: BOX_BOOTSTRAP_FHIR_PACKAGES, BOX_FHIR_SEARCH_ENGINE, BOX_FHIR_COMPLIANT_MODE, BOX_SECURITY_DEV_MODE, BOX_ROOT_CLIENT_ID, BOX_ROOT_CLIENT_SECRET.
MDMbox connection pool
MDMbox maintains its own connection pool separate from the embedded FHIR engine. Both pools connect to the same database but are sized independently.
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
MDMBOX_DB_MAX_POOL_SIZE | Maximum pool connections | 10 |
MDMBOX_DB_MIN_IDLE | Minimum idle connections | 1 |
HTTP server
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
MDMBOX_HTTP_PORT | HTTP port | 3000 |
Endpoints
Once running, the following endpoints are available:
| URL | Description |
|---|---|
/healthz | Liveness check |
/readyz | Readiness check (verifies database connectivity) |
/api/docs | Swagger UI |
/api/openapi.json | OpenAPI specification |
/admin | Admin UI |