> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nginxle.onepub.dev/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nginxle.onepub.dev/certificate-management/certificate-volume.md).

# Certificate volume

Nginx-LE stores certificates on a persistent volume which by convention is called `certificates`.

The `certificates` folder is mounted into the container at `/etc/letsencrypt/`.

It is critical that this is a persistent volume otherwise Nginx-LE will need to acquire a new certificate every time it starts.

`nginx-le config` will automatically create the volume but if you are using docker-compose or creating your own docker container you must create a persistent volume called `certificates`.

Lets Encrypt have hard limits (5 per day) on the no. of certificates you can acquire so if you don't have a persistent volume you will very quickly breach this limit.