---
title: Set up App and API Protection for Node.js in Docker
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > App and API Protection > Enabling App and API
  Protection > Enabling App and API Protection for Node.js > Set up App and API
  Protection for Node.js in Docker
---

# Set up App and API Protection for Node.js in Docker

{% callout %}
# Important note for users on the following Datadog sites: app.ddog-gov.com

{% alert level="danger" %}
This product is not supported for your selected [Datadog site](https://docs.datadoghq.com/getting_started/site). ().
{% /alert %}

{% /callout %}

{% alert level="info" %}
You can enable App and API Protection for Node.js services with the following setup options:

1. If your Node.js service already has APM tracing set up and running, then skip to service configuration
1. If your Node.js service doesn't have APM tracing set up, you can easily enable App and API Protection with Datadog's [Automatic Installation](https://docs.datadoghq.com/tracing/trace_collection/automatic_instrumentation/single-step-apm/docker/)
1. Otherwise, keep reading the following manual setup instructions

{% /alert %}

## Overview{% #overview %}

App and API Protection works by leveraging the [Datadog Node.js library](https://github.com/DataDog/dd-trace-js/) to monitor and secure your Node.js service. The library integrates seamlessly with your existing application without requiring code changes.

For detailed compatibility information, including supported Node.js versions, frameworks, and deployment environments, see [Node.js Compatibility Requirements](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/setup/nodejs/compatibility).

This guide explains how to set up App and API Protection (AAP) for Node.js applications. The setup involves:

1. Installing the Datadog Agent
1. Enabling App and API Protection monitoring
1. Running your Node.js application with the Datadog Agent
1. Verifying the setup

## Prerequisites{% #prerequisites %}

- Docker installed on your host
- Node.js application containerized with Docker
- Your Datadog API key
- Datadog Node.js tracing library (see [version requirements](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/setup/nodejs/compatibility))

## 1. Installing the Datadog Agent

Install the Datadog Agent by following the [setup instructions for Docker](https://docs.datadoghq.com/agent/?tab=cloud_and_container).

## 2. Enabling App and API Protection monitoring
If your Node.js service already has APM tracing set up and running, you can automatically enable App and API Protection through Remote ConfigurationIf not, enable App and API Protection with the manual configuration instructions.navigation-menu{background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e9ecef;border-radius:8px;padding:20px;margin:20px 0}.nav-container h3{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:15px;color:#333;font-size:1.1em}.nav-list{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0}.nav-list li{margin-bottom:8px}.nav-list a{color:#06c;text-decoration:none;font-weight:500}.nav-list a:hover{text-decoration:underline;color:#049}
### Automatically enabling App and API Protection through Remote Configuration{% #automatically-enabling-app-and-api-protection-through-remote-configuration %}

{% alert level="danger" %}
APM Tracing cannot be disabled for the time being with remote config.
{% /alert %}

You can enable remote configuration on your [services dashboard](https://app.datadoghq.com/security/configuration/asm/setup?services=recommended). Simply check the box for the service you want to enable App and API Protection for under "Activate on your APM services".

### Manually enabling App and API Protection monitoring{% #manually-enabling-app-and-api-protection-monitoring %}

{% collapsible-section %}
#### APM Tracing Enabled

Add the Datadog Node.js library to your Dockerfile and configure environment variables:

```dockerfile
FROM node:18-alpine

# Install the Datadog Node.js library
RUN npm install dd-trace

# Copy your application files
COPY package*.json ./
COPY . .

# Install dependencies
RUN npm install

# Set environment variables
ENV DD_APPSEC_ENABLED=true
ENV DD_SERVICE=<YOUR_SERVICE_NAME>
ENV DD_ENV=<YOUR_ENVIRONMENT>

# Start the application with the Datadog tracer
CMD ["node", "--require", "dd-trace/init", "app.js"]
```

{% /collapsible-section %}

{% collapsible-section %}
#### APM Tracing Disabled

To disable APM tracing while keeping App and API Protection enabled, you must set the APM tracing variable to false.

Add the Datadog Node.js library to your Dockerfile and configure environment variables:

```dockerfile
FROM node:18-alpine

# Install the Datadog Node.js library
RUN npm install dd-trace

# Copy your application files
COPY package*.json ./
COPY . .

# Install dependencies
RUN npm install

# Set environment variables
ENV DD_APPSEC_ENABLED=true
ENV DD_APM_TRACING_ENABLED=false
ENV DD_SERVICE=<YOUR_SERVICE_NAME>
ENV DD_ENV=<YOUR_ENVIRONMENT>

# Start the application with the Datadog tracer
CMD ["node", "--require", "dd-trace/init", "app.js"]
```

{% /collapsible-section %}

## 3. Run your application

Build your image and then run your container.

When running your container, make sure to:

1. Connect it to the same Docker network as the Datadog Agent.
1. Set the required environment variables.

```bash
docker run -d \
  --name your-nodejs-app \
  your-nodejs-app-image
```

## 4. Verify setup

To verify that App and API Protection is working correctly:

1. Send some traffic to your application
1. Check the [Application Signals Explorer](https://app.datadoghq.com/security/appsec) in Datadog
1. Look for security signals and vulnerabilities

## Troubleshooting{% #troubleshooting %}

If you encounter issues while setting up App and API Protection for your Node.js application, see the [Node.js App and API Protection troubleshooting guide](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/setup/nodejs/troubleshooting).

## Further Reading{% #further-reading %}

- [How App and API Protection Works](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/how-it-works/)
- [OOTB App and API Protection Rules](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/default_rules/?category=cat-application-security)
- [Troubleshooting App and API Protection](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/troubleshooting)