Deploy MathType on-premises with Docker

Use this guide when you want to deploy MathType services entirely within your own infrastructure using Docker. This deployment model allows organizations to host MathType services on-premises and reduce or eliminate dependencies on WIRIS-hosted services.

After completing this guide, you will have a Docker-based deployment that includes:

• MathType Editor Services.
• MathType Hand Services.
• MathType Integration Services.

Your frontend integrations will be able to connect to these locally hosted services instead of using the default cloud deployment.

Before you begin

Requirements

Make sure you have:

• Docker and Docker Compose installed.
• A valid MathType server license.
• Access to the MathType On-Premises Docker repository: https://github.com/jguillen-at-wiris/mt-onpremises-docker.
• The required MathType WAR files.
• A basic understanding of the MathType integrations architecture.

Applies to

Fully self-hosted MathType deployments · Docker

Steps

Obtain the deployment package

Clone or download the MathType On-Premises Docker repository:

git clone https://github.com/jguillen-at-wiris/mt-onpremises-docker.git

The repository contains the Docker configuration, deployment scripts, frontend demos, and configuration templates required for the deployment.

Obtain the required WAR files

The deployment requires the following WAR files:

• licensed_editor.war
• licensed_hand.war
• pluginwiris_engine.war

The editor and handwriting WAR files are provided as part of your licensed MathType server components. The Integration Services package (pluginwiris_engine.war) must also be available before deployment.

Replace the placeholder WAR files

Locate the mathtype-wars directory and replace the placeholder files with the actual WAR files. Expected structure:

mathtype-wars/
├── licensed_editor.war
├── licensed_hand.war
└── pluginwiris_engine.war

Configure your license keys

Update the configuration files provided with the deployment package:

• configurations/editor-web.xml
• configurations/hand-web.xml

Replace the placeholder license keys with your licensed product keys.

Start the Docker deployment

From the backend directory, start the services:

docker compose up -d

Docker builds the MathType image and starts the required services.

Verify the backend services

Open the Integration Services configuration endpoint:

http://localhost:8080/pluginwiris_engine/app/configurationjs

A successful deployment returns a JSON response describing the available services and configuration. 

Next, open the Integration Services test page:

http://localhost:8080/pluginwiris_engine/app/test

All tests should complete successfully.

You can also verify that Editor Services are available by opening:

http://localhost:8080/editor/tests/en/test.html

The MathType editor should load successfully.

Verify a frontend demo

The Docker deployment package includes frontend demo scenarios that can be used to validate the local services. Serve the frontend directory over HTTP. Do not open the HTML files directly with file://. Example:

cd ../frontend
python -m http.server 3000

Open one of the available demo scenarios in your browser. Example:

http://localhost:3000/froala/

To validate the local deployment, make sure the frontend points to the local Integration Services endpoint:

mathTypeParameters: {
  serviceProviderProperties: {
    URI: 'http://localhost:8080/pluginwiris_engine/app/configurationjs',
    server: 'java'
  }
}

To avoid dependencies on WIRIS-hosted rendering services, make sure the frontend uses the locally hosted rendering script:

<script src="http://localhost:8080/pluginwiris_engine/app/WIRISplugins.js?viewer=image"></script>

Then verify that the editor loads correctly, the MathType and ChemType buttons appear and you can interact with it.

Optional: Verify the Render Engine

The deployment package includes a standalone Render Engine demo that can be used to validate MathML rendering without an editor integration. Open:

http://localhost:3000/render-engine/

To use the local deployment, configure the page to load:

<script src="http://localhost:8080/pluginwiris_engine/app/WIRISplugins.js?viewer=image"></script>

instead of the WIRIS-hosted version. The MathML content should be rendered correctly using the local services.

Verify it worked

A successful deployment should meet all of the following conditions:

• Docker containers start without errors.
• The configurationjs endpoint returns a valid response.
• The Integration Services test page reports successful results.
• The MathType editor test page loads successfully.
• Frontend integrations can open the MathType editor.
• Formulas can be inserted and edited.
• No requests are sent to WIRIS-hosted services. Browser network requests are served from localhost instead of www.wiris.net.

Common issues

The services fail to start after deployment

Verify that the WAR files match the servlet container version used by the Docker image.

License validation errors

Verify that the configured product keys match your licensed MathType components.

Frontend integrations cannot connect

Verify that:

• Docker is running.
• Port 8080 is accessible.
• The frontend points to the correct configurationjs endpoint.

Formulas do not render correctly

Verify that the deployment completed successfully and that Integration Services can communicate with the editor services.

Related articles

• MathType integrations architecture.
• MathType integrations deployment models.
• Test Integration Services.
• Configure Integration Services.