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Weaviate

What is Weaviate?​

Weaviate is an open-source vector database with REST and GraphQL APIs, used for embeddings and RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) from PHP over plain HTTP. Unlike some vector databases, it ships GraphQL as a first-class query interface alongside REST.

Start Weaviate​

docker compose up -d weaviate

Stop Weaviate​

docker compose stop weaviate

This stops the container without deleting your data (kept in the weaviate Docker volume). To remove the container: docker compose rm -f weaviate.

Configuration​

All settings live in weaviate/defaults.env and can be overridden by adding the same line to your own .env:

VariableDefaultWhat it does
WEAVIATE_VERSION1.38.2Image tag from cr.weaviate.io/semitechnologies/weaviate.
WEAVIATE_HOST_PORT8085Host-side port Weaviate is published on (container port 8080).

weaviate/compose.yml also sets, directly in the container environment: AUTHENTICATION_ANONYMOUS_ACCESS_ENABLED=true (no auth needed by default), DEFAULT_VECTORIZER_MODULE=none (you supply your own vectors/embeddings rather than Weaviate generating them), and QUERY_DEFAULTS_LIMIT=25. Data persists at /var/lib/weaviate in the weaviate volume.

Connect​

Reachable at http://localhost:8085, REST endpoints under /v1, readiness check at /v1/.well-known/ready. Anonymous access is on by default, no API key needed for local dev. From another container, use http://weaviate:8080.

Common issues​

  • Objects rejected for missing a vector. DEFAULT_VECTORIZER_MODULE=none means Weaviate expects you to provide vectors yourself (e.g. from OpenAI, Ollama, or your own embedding model); it won't generate them for you unless you enable and configure a vectorizer module.
  • Query returns fewer results than expected. QUERY_DEFAULTS_LIMIT=25 caps default query results; pass an explicit limit in your query if you need more.
  • Port already in use on your host. Change WEAVIATE_HOST_PORT in .env and restart: docker compose up -d weaviate.
  • App can't connect but the container is running. Use the container name weaviate on port 8080, not localhost, from inside another container.

Comparing vector databases? See Qdrant and Chroma. New to Laradock? Start with Getting Started.