diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c5ddb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+default-docker-compose.conf
diff --git a/default-docker-compose.conf-sample b/default-docker-compose.conf-sample
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e4c8d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/default-docker-compose.conf-sample
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#
+# SQL dump backup directory
+#
+BU_DIR=/home/data/mastodon/backup
+#
+# Docker Compose details
+#
+# dir containing the docker-compose.yml
+DC_DIR=/home/docker/mastodon
+# name of the database container
+DC_CONTAINER=postgres
+# Command to dump the relevant database(s)
+DUMP_CMD='pg_dumpall -c -U postgres'
+#
+# Reporting
+#
+# email address to send reports to, and subject
+EMAIL=webmaster@oerfoundation.org
+EMAIL_SUBJ="Mastodon on OERu Open Postgres Backup Report"