Installing Metabase Locally: A Step-by-Step Guide

• v0.54.9.4

1. Introduction: Why Install Metabase Locally?

Metabase is a popular open-source tool for data visualization and business intelligence, allowing users to query, visualize, and share insights easily. Installing it locally is helpful for developers and data engineers to test configurations, evaluate Metabase’s features offline, and ensure compatibility with data sources before deploying to a production environment. Setting up Metabase locally also helps simulate various workflows without impacting shared environments, especially valuable for prototyping and training.

2. Installing Metabase Using Docker

Using Docker to install Metabase is a common choice due to its straightforward setup and isolation from the host environment.

Install Docker
Ensure Docker is installed. If not, download it from Docker’s official site and follow the installation instructions.

Pull the Metabase Docker Image

docker pull metabase/metabase

Run the Metabase Container

docker run -d -p 3000:3000 --name metabase metabase/metabase

This command runs Metabase as a background process, mapping it to port 3000. Access Metabase by visiting http://localhost:3000 in your browser.

Configuration

On the first visit, set up an admin account, connect to a database (optional), and customize basic settings.

3. Language-Specific Installation Options

Metabase also offers an installation method that suits a variety of environments and programming languages.

Python (pip) – Indirect Usage

Metabase isn’t available directly via pip, but you can use the metabase-api Python client to interact with Metabase.

Install metabase-api Client

pip install metabase-api

Basic Usage

from metabase_api import MetabaseApi 
mb = MetabaseApi("http://localhost:3000", "your-username", "your-password")

While Metabase itself doesn’t run through pip, this client library is handy for automating data queries or administrative tasks.

Node.js (npm) – Indirect Integration

Similar to Python, Node.js doesn’t run Metabase directly, but you can access its API for integration.

Install axios for API Requests

npm install axios

Basic Usage

const axios = require('axios');

async function queryMetabase() {
  const res = await axios.post('http://localhost:3000/api/session', {
    username: 'your-username',
    password: 'your-password'
  });
  console.log(res.data);
}
queryMetabase();

Ruby (gem) – Metabase API Client

For Ruby, you can use the httparty gem to interact with Metabase’s API, though Metabase itself isn’t installed as a Ruby gem.

Install httparty

gem install httparty

Connect to Metabase

require 'httparty'

response = HTTParty.post('http://localhost:3000/api/session', {
  body: {
    username: 'your-username',
    password: 'your-password'
  }.to_json,
  headers: { 'Content-Type' => 'application/json' }
})
puts response.body

Java (Maven/Gradle) – Working with Metabase APIs

While you cannot run Metabase through Java’s Maven or Gradle, you can access its API for automated tasks.

Add Dependencies

Maven

<dependency>
  <groupId>com.squareup.okhttp3</groupId>
  <artifactId>okhttp</artifactId>
  <version>4.9.3</version>
</dependency>

Gradle

implementation 'com.squareup.okhttp3:okhttp:4.9.3'

Connect to Metabase

import okhttp3.*;

OkHttpClient client = new OkHttpClient();
RequestBody body = RequestBody.create(
    "{\"username\":\"your-username\",\"password\":\"your-password\"}",
    MediaType.parse("application/json")
);

Request request = new Request.Builder()
    .url("http://localhost:3000/api/session")
    .post(body)
    .build();

Response response = client.newCall(request).execute();
System.out.println(response.body().string());

4. Summary: Managing and Verifying Your Installation

• Verifying Metabase: After installation, confirm it’s running by visiting http://localhost:3000. You should see the Metabase login or setup screen.
• Container Management (Docker): For Docker-based installations, use commands like docker ps to check if the container is running, and docker logs metabase to view logs if issues arise.
• Regular Updates: Periodically update the Docker image with docker pull metabase/metabase to keep Metabase up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.

This guide should provide a smooth starting point for installing and managing Metabase locally, allowing you to explore its functionality in a controlled environment before deploying to production.

Last Releases

• v0.54.9.4May 23, 2025
  url-encode parameters substituted into link and iframe cards (#58429)…   Source: https://github.com/metabase/metabase/releases/tag/v0.54.9.4
• v0.53.16.3May 23, 2025
  cross versions tests: skip @oss tests and use prod build for the FE (…   Source: https://github.com/metabase/metabase/releases/tag/v0.53.16.3
• v0.54.9.3May 22, 2025
  Co-authored-by: Edward Paget edpaget@users.noreply.github.com   Source: https://github.com/metabase/metabase/releases/tag/v0.54.9.3