Track files
Your original GPS files stay in the folder where you put them. MTL Explorer never changes them.
Docker installation
Run MTL Explorer on your own host.
One Docker Compose file starts everything MTL Explorer needs: the app, its database, route planning, and place search. Your data stays in folders on your own computer.
Quick start
You need Docker with Compose. On Windows and macOS, install Docker Desktop. Then run:
mkdir mtl-explorer
cd mtl-explorer
curl -fsSL -o docker-compose.yml \
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mindalyze-com/mtl-explorer/main/docker-compose.yml
docker compose up -dOpen http://localhost:18080/mtl/ and sign in with user mtl and password change-me. Change the password before other people or the internet can reach it.
Install and sign in.
The installation guide has the commands for Windows, how to change the login, and your first import.
Choose a computer.
Check memory, free ports, and disk space. You need at least 4 GB of memory.
Test it.
Import a few tracks and check the result before adding your full history.
Your data stays in local folders.
MTL Explorer keeps everything in the data/ folder next to docker-compose.yml: your tracks, photos, and database. Back up this folder.
Database
The database holds your processed tracks, settings, filters, segments, and planned routes.
Optional offline maps
You can also host the base map yourself. The whole-world map needs about 200 GB of disk space.
Updates
MTL Explorer tells you when a new release is out. Open Settings → Updates to read the release notes, then back up and run:
docker compose pull
docker compose up -dSome releases need extra steps; the release notes say so. To pin exact image versions, use the digests in the release manifest.
The update check is optional and the app works without internet access. To turn it off, set MTL_UPDATES_ENABLED=false in .env. See Updates for details.
Continue with the full documentation.
The administration guide covers the login, data folders, offline maps, HTTPS, backups, and updates.