# How to find the docker compose file in Coolify to read stack logs

By [Florian Martens](https://pipe0.com/authors/florian-martens) · Published May 24, 2025

Source: https://pipe0.com/blog/find-docker-compose-coolify

> Learn how to locate the docker compose file in a Coolify stack



In certain situations, it is helpful to have access to the `docker-compose.yaml` file in [Coolify](https://coolify.io).

This allows you to run [docker compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/) commands for any application stack in Coolify.

In my case, I was looking to read application logs. I was trying to catch a log from a `SIGTERM` event and the logs
were not showing up in the Coolify dashboard because the container exited too fast.

I wanted to run the command:

```sh
docker compose logs
```

## Locating the `docker-compose` file [#locating-the-docker-compose-file]

Coolify manages the docker compose files in a top-level directory:

`/data/coolify/applications/application_id`

In order to access it, switch into a root shell `sudo su` and navigate to `cd /data/coolify/applications/`.

Find the application id for your project and enter the folder with the corresponding `id`.

Within the folder, you will find the `docker-compose.yaml` file.