The release of Joomla 6 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Joomla Web Content Management System (CMS). Building upon the architectural improvements introduced in Joomla 4 and stabilized in Joomla 5, Joomla 6 focuses on long-term maintainability, stricter code quality, modern PHP alignment, and improved developer experience. For organizations operating mission-critical websites—particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), research organizations, and digital-first businesses—the transition from Joomla 5 to Joomla 6 is not merely a technical upgrade but a strategic modernization initiative.

This research white paper presents a comprehensive, engineering-driven framework for migrating a Joomla CMS website from Joomla 5 to Joomla 6 using Docker-based development and Joomla Art (JoomlArt) templates. It examines architectural considerations, risks, governance issues, DevOps practices, template modernization, and quality assurance. The paper further demonstrates how KeenComputer.com can act as a technology and transformation partner, enabling organizations to execute Joomla 6 migrations with reduced risk, predictable cost, and long-term scalability.

Author Note: This paper is intended for technology leaders, system architects, SME owners, and digital transformation professionals evaluating Joomla 6 adoption in production environments.

Migrating a Joomla CMS Website from Joomla 5 to Joomla 6 Using Docker-Based Development and Joomla Art Templates

Abstract

The release of Joomla 6 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Joomla Web Content Management System (CMS). Building upon the architectural improvements introduced in Joomla 4 and stabilized in Joomla 5, Joomla 6 focuses on long-term maintainability, stricter code quality, modern PHP alignment, and improved developer experience. For organizations operating mission-critical websites—particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), research organizations, and digital-first businesses—the transition from Joomla 5 to Joomla 6 is not merely a technical upgrade but a strategic modernization initiative.

This research white paper presents a comprehensive, engineering-driven framework for migrating a Joomla CMS website from Joomla 5 to Joomla 6 using Docker-based development and Joomla Art (JoomlArt) templates. It examines architectural considerations, risks, governance issues, DevOps practices, template modernization, and quality assurance. The paper further demonstrates how KeenComputer.com can act as a technology and transformation partner, enabling organizations to execute Joomla 6 migrations with reduced risk, predictable cost, and long-term scalability.

1. Introduction

Content management systems are no longer static publishing tools; they are integral components of digital platforms that support marketing, eCommerce, customer engagement, analytics, and integration with enterprise systems. Joomla has historically occupied a strong position between developer flexibility and editorial usability. With Joomla 6, the platform doubles down on modern PHP standards, stricter backward compatibility policies, and a more opinionated architectural direction.

Organizations currently running Joomla 5 face a critical decision: whether to delay migration and accumulate technical debt or to proactively modernize their web infrastructure. This paper argues that a disciplined migration to Joomla 6—executed in a containerized (Docker-based) development environment and supported by structured template modernization—offers significant technical and business advantages.

2. Joomla 5 to Joomla 6: Evolution, Not Reinvention

2.1 Nature of the Joomla 5 to 6 Transition

Unlike earlier generational jumps (e.g., Joomla 3 to 4), the transition from Joomla 5 to Joomla 6 is an in-place upgrade rather than a classic migration. However, this should not be interpreted as trivial. Joomla 6 enforces:

  • Stricter PHP version requirements (PHP 8.2 and above)
  • Removal of deprecated APIs
  • Tighter extension and template compliance
  • Cleaner separation of concerns within the core

While the database schema remains largely compatible, custom code, third-party extensions, and templates must be carefully validated.

2.2 Strategic Implications for Organizations

From a systems engineering perspective, Joomla 6 represents a platform stabilization point. Organizations that upgrade early benefit from:

  • Reduced long-term maintenance costs
  • Improved security posture
  • Better performance under modern PHP runtimes
  • Easier onboarding of developers

Conversely, delaying the upgrade increases risk as extension vendors and hosting providers progressively deprecate older versions.

3. The Role of Docker in Modern Joomla Development

3.1 Why Containerization Matters

Docker-based development has become a de facto standard in modern software engineering. For Joomla migrations, Docker offers decisive advantages:

  • Environment consistency across development, staging, and production
  • Isolation of PHP, database, and web server dependencies
  • Safe experimentation and rollback
  • Parallel testing of Joomla 5 and Joomla 6 environments

Containerization transforms Joomla upgrades from risky, one-time operations into repeatable, testable engineering workflows.

3.2 Reference Docker Architecture for Joomla 6

A typical Docker-based Joomla development stack includes:

  • Web server (Apache or Nginx)
  • PHP 8.2/8.3 container
  • MySQL 8 or MariaDB 10.6+ database
  • Optional Redis for caching
  • Optional Mailhog for email testing
  • Volume-mounted Joomla file system

This architecture enables precise control over versions and dependencies, which is essential when dealing with template frameworks and third-party extensions.

4. Joomla Art (JoomlArt) Templates in the Joomla 6 Era

4.1 Overview of Joomla Art Template Frameworks

JoomlArt templates are widely used in professional Joomla deployments due to their visual quality and modular architecture. Most modern JoomlArt templates rely on:

  • T4 Framework
  • Bootstrap 5
  • Custom layout overrides
  • JavaScript-based UI components

While JoomlArt has actively modernized its frameworks, organizations must still audit template compatibility when upgrading Joomla versions.

4.2 Template Challenges During Joomla 6 Migration

Common issues encountered during migration include:

  • Deprecated PHP method calls in overrides
  • Legacy JavaScript dependencies
  • Outdated XML manifest files
  • Incompatible template framework versions

A Joomla 6 migration should therefore include a structured template refactoring phase rather than assuming drop-in compatibility.

5. Migration Work Plan: A Systems Engineering Approach

5.1 Phase 1: Discovery and Readiness Assessment

The migration begins with a comprehensive audit of the existing Joomla 5 site:

  • Core version verification (Joomla 5.4.x)
  • PHP compatibility analysis
  • Inventory of components, modules, and plugins
  • Identification of custom code and overrides

Each extension is classified according to Joomla 6 readiness, forming the basis of a risk and remediation matrix.

5.2 Phase 2: Dockerized Development Environment Setup

A dedicated Docker-based development environment is established, replicating the production site with full fidelity. This includes:

  • Database import
  • File system synchronization
  • Git-based version control
  • Branching strategy for upgrade experimentation

This environment becomes the primary workspace for all migration activities.

5.3 Phase 3: Template and Framework Modernization

Template modernization involves:

  • Upgrading the T4 framework
  • Refactoring template overrides
  • Replacing deprecated APIs
  • Testing responsiveness and accessibility

This phase ensures that presentation logic aligns with Joomla 6 standards and modern UX expectations.

5.4 Phase 4: Joomla 6 Core Upgrade

With dependencies validated, the Joomla core upgrade is executed within Docker. Post-upgrade activities include:

  • Resolving PHP warnings and errors
  • Updating extensions to Joomla 6 versions
  • Validating database integrity

5.5 Phase 5: Testing and Quality Assurance

Testing encompasses:

  • Functional testing of frontend and backend workflows
  • Performance benchmarking
  • Security validation
  • Regression testing

This phase is critical for risk mitigation and stakeholder confidence.

5.6 Phase 6: Production Deployment

Deployment strategies may include blue-green or rolling deployments to minimize downtime. Final synchronization and monitoring ensure a stable go-live.

6. Risk Management and Governance

Effective Joomla 6 migration requires governance mechanisms, including:

  • Change control processes
  • Backup and rollback strategies
  • Extension lifecycle management
  • Documentation and knowledge transfer

Docker-based workflows significantly enhance governance by enabling reproducibility and auditability.

7. Business Value of Joomla 6 Migration

From a business perspective, Joomla 6 migration delivers:

  • Improved site performance
  • Enhanced security and compliance
  • Lower total cost of ownership
  • Greater agility for future enhancements

For SMEs, these benefits translate into competitive advantage and digital resilience.

8. How KeenComputer.com Enables Successful Joomla 6 Migrations

8.1 Technical Leadership and Engineering Expertise

KeenComputer.com provides deep expertise in Joomla architecture, PHP engineering, and DevOps practices. Rather than treating migration as a one-off task, KeenComputer approaches it as a systems modernization initiative.

8.2 Docker and DevOps Enablement

Services include:

  • Docker Compose design and optimization
  • CI/CD pipeline integration
  • Environment standardization
  • Automated backup and rollback mechanisms

These capabilities reduce operational risk and accelerate delivery.

8.3 Template and UX Engineering

KeenComputer assists organizations in:

  • Auditing JoomlArt templates
  • Refactoring overrides
  • Improving Core Web Vitals
  • Aligning design with accessibility standards

8.4 SME-Focused Engagement Model

KeenComputer understands SME constraints and priorities, offering:

  • Predictable pricing
  • Minimal downtime strategies
  • Long-term support and maintenance

9. Future Roadmap After Joomla 6 Migration

Post-migration enhancements may include:

  • Headless Joomla architectures
  • API-driven integrations
  • AI-assisted search and content management
  • Advanced caching and CDN strategies

Joomla 6 provides a stable foundation for these innovations.

10. Conclusion

Migrating a Joomla CMS website from Joomla 5 to Joomla 6 is a strategic investment in digital sustainability. When executed using Docker-based development and structured template modernization, the migration becomes a controlled, low-risk engineering process rather than a disruptive event.

This white paper has demonstrated that Joomla 6 migration is not solely a technical upgrade but an opportunity to modernize architecture, improve governance, and unlock future innovation. With an experienced partner such as KeenComputer.com, organizations can confidently navigate this transition and position their digital platforms for long-term success.

Author Note: This paper is intended for technology leaders, system architects, SME owners, and digital transformation professionals evaluating Joomla 6 adoption in production environments.