diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index de8a1a1..eed0d8a 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ services:
       - "qtc-data:/var/lib/mariadb"
     networks:
       - qtc-backend
+    ports:
+      - "3306:3306" # external local access
     healthcheck:
       test: ["CMD", "healthcheck.sh", "--connect"]
       retries: 3