diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index b629ca6..daf167f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -31,31 +31,31 @@ jobs:
           path: artifacts/*.nupkg
           retention-days: 2
 
-  publish:
-    name: Publish
-    needs: build_test_pack
-    runs-on: windows-latest
-    env:
-      nugetSource: https://nuget.pkg.github.com/${{ github.repository_owner }}/index.json
-      DOTNET_NOLOGO: 1
-    steps:
-      - name: Download artifacts
-        uses: actions/download-artifact@v2
-        with:
-          name: packages
-      - name: Publish to Github Packages
-        run: dotnet nuget push *.nupkg --source $env:nugetSource --skip-duplicate --api-key ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+  # publish:
+  #   name: Publish
+  #   needs: build_test_pack
+  #   runs-on: windows-latest
+  #   env:
+  #     nugetSource: https://nuget.pkg.github.com/${{ github.repository_owner }}/index.json
+  #     DOTNET_NOLOGO: 1
+  #   steps:
+  #     - name: Download artifacts
+  #       uses: actions/download-artifact@v2
+  #       with:
+  #         name: packages
+  #     - name: Publish to Github Packages
+  #       run: dotnet nuget push *.nupkg --source $env:nugetSource --skip-duplicate --api-key ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
 
-  cleanup:
-    name: Cleanup
-    needs: build_test_pack
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - name: Cleanup old Packages
-        uses: actions/delete-package-versions@v3
-        with: 
-          package-name: 'EPiServer.Templates'
-          min-versions-to-keep: 10
-          # 1-in-1-out
-          num-old-versions-to-delete: 1
-          delete-only-pre-release-versions: "true"
+  # cleanup:
+  #   name: Cleanup
+  #   needs: build_test_pack
+  #   runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+  #   steps:
+  #     - name: Cleanup old Packages
+  #       uses: actions/delete-package-versions@v3
+  #       with: 
+  #         package-name: 'EPiServer.Templates'
+  #         min-versions-to-keep: 10
+  #         # 1-in-1-out
+  #         num-old-versions-to-delete: 1
+  #         delete-only-pre-release-versions: "true"
diff --git a/templates/Alloy.Mvc/.env b/templates/Alloy.Mvc/.env
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bb927b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/Alloy.Mvc/.env
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# These variables are used for passing values into docker-compose.yml and the containers
+SA_PASSWORD=Qwerty12345!
+DB_NAME=Alloy.Mvc.1
+DB_DIRECTORY=Alloy.Mvc.1
diff --git a/templates/Alloy.Mvc/.template.config/template.json b/templates/Alloy.Mvc/.template.config/template.json
index e8dbda1..e58d721 100644
--- a/templates/Alloy.Mvc/.template.config/template.json
+++ b/templates/Alloy.Mvc/.template.config/template.json
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@
           "exclude": [
             "Directory.Build.props",
             "docker-compose.yml",
-            "Docker/**/*"
+            "Docker/**/*",
+            ".env"
           ]
         }
       ]
diff --git a/templates/Alloy.Mvc/Docker/create-db.sh b/templates/Alloy.Mvc/Docker/create-db.sh
index c3f11cc..a32a7a3 100644
--- a/templates/Alloy.Mvc/Docker/create-db.sh
+++ b/templates/Alloy.Mvc/Docker/create-db.sh
@@ -1,8 +1,19 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+echo "Creating database..."
+
+let result=1
+
 for i in {1..100}; do
-    /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_NAME}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_NAME}.ldf')"
-    if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
+    if test -f /var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.mdf; then
+        echo "Restoring from .mdf/.ldf"
+        /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.ldf') FOR ATTACH;"
+        let result=$?
+    else
+        /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.ldf')"
+        let result=$?
+    fi
+    if [ $result -eq 0 ]; then
         echo "Creating database completed"
         break
     else
diff --git a/templates/Alloy.Mvc/README.md b/templates/Alloy.Mvc/README.md
index fb363be..db4a370 100644
--- a/templates/Alloy.Mvc/README.md
+++ b/templates/Alloy.Mvc/README.md
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ $ dotnet run
 Prerequisities
 - Docker
 - Enable Docker support when applying the template
+- Review the .env file and make changes where necessary to the Docker-related variables
 
 ```bash
 $ docker-compose up
@@ -28,6 +29,12 @@ $ docker-compose up
 
 > Note that this Docker setup is just configured for local development. Follow this [guide to enable HTTPS](https://github.com/dotnet/dotnet-docker/blob/main/samples/run-aspnetcore-https-development.md).
 
+#### Reclaiming Docker Image Space
+
+1. Backup the App_Data/\${DB_NAME}.mdf and App_Data/\${DB_NAME}.ldf DB restoration files for safety
+2. Run `docker compose down --rmi all` to remove containers, networks, and images associated with the specific project instance
+3. In the future, run `docker compose up` anytime you want to recreate the images and containers
+
 ### Any OS with external database server
 
 Prerequisities
diff --git a/templates/Alloy.Mvc/docker-compose.yml b/templates/Alloy.Mvc/docker-compose.yml
index 8444742..8bdd2f9 100644
--- a/templates/Alloy.Mvc/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/templates/Alloy.Mvc/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@ services:
       dockerfile: ./Docker/db.dockerfile
       context: .
     environment:
-      SA_PASSWORD: Qwerty12345!
-      DB_NAME: cms
+      SA_PASSWORD: ${SA_PASSWORD}
+      DB_NAME: ${DB_NAME}
+      DB_DIRECTORY: ${DB_DIRECTORY}
     ports:
       - 6000:1433
     volumes:
-      - ./App_Data:/var/opt/mssql/host_data
+      - ./App_Data:/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}
     image: Alloy.Mvc.1/db
   web:
     depends_on:
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ services:
     environment:
       ASPNETCORE_URLS: http://*:80
       ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT: Development
-      CONNECTIONSTRINGS__EPISERVERDB: Server=db;Database=cms;User Id=sa;Password=Qwerty12345!;Encrypt=False;
+      CONNECTIONSTRINGS__EPISERVERDB: Server=db;Database=${DB_NAME};User Id=sa;Password=${SA_PASSWORD};Encrypt=False;
     ports:
       - 5000:80
     volumes:
diff --git a/templates/Cms.Empty/.env b/templates/Cms.Empty/.env
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf491ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/Cms.Empty/.env
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# These variables are used for passing values into docker-compose.yml and the containers
+SA_PASSWORD=Qwerty12345!
+DB_NAME=Cms.Empty.1
+DB_DIRECTORY=Cms.Empty.1
diff --git a/templates/Cms.Empty/.template.config/template.json b/templates/Cms.Empty/.template.config/template.json
index 50594f6..7fa80ca 100644
--- a/templates/Cms.Empty/.template.config/template.json
+++ b/templates/Cms.Empty/.template.config/template.json
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@
           "exclude": [
             "Directory.Build.props",
             "docker-compose.yml",
-            "Docker/**/*"
+            "Docker/**/*",
+            ".env"
           ]
         }
       ]
diff --git a/templates/Cms.Empty/Docker/create-db.sh b/templates/Cms.Empty/Docker/create-db.sh
index c3f11cc..a32a7a3 100644
--- a/templates/Cms.Empty/Docker/create-db.sh
+++ b/templates/Cms.Empty/Docker/create-db.sh
@@ -1,8 +1,19 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+echo "Creating database..."
+
+let result=1
+
 for i in {1..100}; do
-    /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_NAME}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_NAME}.ldf')"
-    if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
+    if test -f /var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.mdf; then
+        echo "Restoring from .mdf/.ldf"
+        /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.ldf') FOR ATTACH;"
+        let result=$?
+    else
+        /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.ldf')"
+        let result=$?
+    fi
+    if [ $result -eq 0 ]; then
         echo "Creating database completed"
         break
     else
diff --git a/templates/Cms.Empty/README.md b/templates/Cms.Empty/README.md
index 47a3282..f8b59de 100644
--- a/templates/Cms.Empty/README.md
+++ b/templates/Cms.Empty/README.md
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ $ dotnet run
 Prerequisities
 - Docker
 - Enable Docker support when applying the template
+- Review the .env file and make changes where necessary to the Docker-related variables
 
 ```bash
 $ docker-compose up
@@ -26,6 +27,12 @@ $ docker-compose up
 
 > Note that this Docker setup is just configured for local development. Follow this [guide to enable HTTPS](https://github.com/dotnet/dotnet-docker/blob/main/samples/run-aspnetcore-https-development.md).
 
+#### Reclaiming Docker Image Space
+
+1. Backup the App_Data/\${DB_NAME}.mdf and App_Data/\${DB_NAME}.ldf DB restoration files for safety
+2. Run `docker compose down --rmi all` to remove containers, networks, and images associated with the specific project instance
+3. In the future, run `docker compose up` anytime you want to recreate the images and containers
+
 ### Any OS with external database server
 
 Prerequisities
diff --git a/templates/Cms.Empty/docker-compose.yml b/templates/Cms.Empty/docker-compose.yml
index 2c46f81..544d432 100644
--- a/templates/Cms.Empty/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/templates/Cms.Empty/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@ services:
       dockerfile: ./Docker/db.dockerfile
       context: .
     environment:
-      SA_PASSWORD: Qwerty12345!
-      DB_NAME: cms
+      SA_PASSWORD: ${SA_PASSWORD}
+      DB_NAME: ${DB_NAME}
+      DB_DIRECTORY: ${DB_DIRECTORY}
     ports:
       - 6000:1433
     volumes:
-      - ./App_Data:/var/opt/mssql/host_data
+      - ./App_Data:/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}
     image: Cms.Empty.1/db
   web:
     depends_on:
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ services:
     environment:
       ASPNETCORE_URLS: http://*:80
       ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT: Development
-      CONNECTIONSTRINGS__EPISERVERDB: Server=db;Database=cms;User Id=sa;Password=Qwerty12345!;Encrypt=False;
+      CONNECTIONSTRINGS__EPISERVERDB: Server=db;Database=${DB_NAME};User Id=sa;Password=${SA_PASSWORD};Encrypt=False;
     ports:
       - 5000:80
     volumes:
diff --git a/templates/Commerce.Empty/.env b/templates/Commerce.Empty/.env
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d38a23
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/Commerce.Empty/.env
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# These variables are used for passing values into docker-compose.yml and the containers
+SA_PASSWORD=Qwerty12345!
+DB_NAME=Commerce.Empty.1_cms
+DB_NAME_COMMERCE=Commerce.Empty.1_commerce
+DB_DIRECTORY=Commerce.Empty.1
diff --git a/templates/Commerce.Empty/.template.config/template.json b/templates/Commerce.Empty/.template.config/template.json
index 58e0a8b..ae3dc5f 100644
--- a/templates/Commerce.Empty/.template.config/template.json
+++ b/templates/Commerce.Empty/.template.config/template.json
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@
           "exclude": [
             "Directory.Build.props",
             "docker-compose.yml",
-            "Docker/**/*"
+            "Docker/**/*",
+            ".env"
           ]
         }
       ]
diff --git a/templates/Commerce.Empty/Docker/create-db.sh b/templates/Commerce.Empty/Docker/create-db.sh
index 689b775..221411c 100644
--- a/templates/Commerce.Empty/Docker/create-db.sh
+++ b/templates/Commerce.Empty/Docker/create-db.sh
@@ -1,13 +1,35 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+echo "Creating databases..."
+
+let cmsresult=1
+let commerceresult=1
+
 for i in {1..100}; do
-    /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_NAME}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_NAME}.ldf')"
-    /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME_COMMERCE} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}.ldf')"
-    if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
-        echo "Creating database completed"
+    if test -f /var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.mdf; then
+        echo "Restoring CMS DB from .mdf/.ldf"
+
+        /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.ldf') FOR ATTACH;"
+        let cmsresult=$?
+    else
+        /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME}.ldf')"
+        let cmsresult=$?
+    fi
+
+    if test -f /var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}.mdf; then
+        echo "Restoring Commerce DB from .mdf/.ldf"
+        /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME_COMMERCE} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}.ldf') FOR ATTACH;"
+        let commerceresult=$?
+    else
+        /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "$SA_PASSWORD" -Q "IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.databases WHERE name = '${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}') CREATE DATABASE ${DB_NAME_COMMERCE} ON (NAME=${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}_data, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}.mdf') LOG ON (NAME=${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}_log, FILENAME='/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}/${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}.ldf')"
+        let commerceresult=$?
+    fi
+
+    if [ $cmsresult -eq 0 ] && [ $commerceresult -eq 0 ]; then
+        echo "Creating databases completed"
         break
     else
-        echo "Creating database. Not ready yet..."
+        echo "Creating databases. Not ready yet..."
         sleep 1
     fi
 done
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/templates/Commerce.Empty/README.md b/templates/Commerce.Empty/README.md
index 5cb7750..234b93a 100644
--- a/templates/Commerce.Empty/README.md
+++ b/templates/Commerce.Empty/README.md
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ $ dotnet run
 Prerequisities
 - Docker
 - Enable Docker support when applying the template
+- Review the .env file and make changes where necessary to the Docker-related variables
 
 ```bash
 $ docker-compose up
@@ -26,6 +27,12 @@ $ docker-compose up
 
 > Note that this Docker setup is just configured for local development. Follow this [guide to enable HTTPS](https://github.com/dotnet/dotnet-docker/blob/main/samples/run-aspnetcore-https-development.md).
 
+#### Reclaiming Docker Image Space
+
+1. Backup the App_Data/\${DB_NAME}.mdf and App_Data/\${DB_NAME}.ldf DB restoration files for safety
+2. Run `docker compose down --rmi all` to remove containers, networks, and images associated with the specific project instance
+3. In the future, run `docker compose up` anytime you want to recreate the images and containers
+
 ### Any OS with external database server
 
 Prerequisities
diff --git a/templates/Commerce.Empty/docker-compose.yml b/templates/Commerce.Empty/docker-compose.yml
index 3fa2f68..50cefeb 100644
--- a/templates/Commerce.Empty/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/templates/Commerce.Empty/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,13 +6,14 @@ services:
       dockerfile: ./Docker/db.dockerfile
       context: .
     environment:
-      SA_PASSWORD: Qwerty12345!
-      DB_NAME: cms
-      DB_NAME_COMMERCE: commerce
+      SA_PASSWORD: ${SA_PASSWORD}
+      DB_NAME: ${DB_NAME}
+      DB_NAME_COMMERCE: ${DB_NAME_COMMERCE}
+      DB_DIRECTORY: ${DB_DIRECTORY}
     ports:
       - 6000:1433
     volumes:
-      - ./App_Data:/var/opt/mssql/host_data
+      - ./App_Data:/var/opt/mssql/host_data/${DB_DIRECTORY}
     image: Commerce.Empty.1/db
   web:
     depends_on:
@@ -23,8 +24,8 @@ services:
     environment:
       ASPNETCORE_URLS: http://*:80
       ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT: Development
-      CONNECTIONSTRINGS__EPISERVERDB: Server=db;Database=cms;User Id=sa;Password=Qwerty12345!;Encrypt=False;
-      CONNECTIONSTRINGS__ECFSQLCONNECTION: Server=db;Database=commerce;User Id=sa;Password=Qwerty12345!;Encrypt=False;
+      CONNECTIONSTRINGS__EPISERVERDB: Server=db;Database=${DB_NAME};User Id=sa;Password=${SA_PASSWORD};Encrypt=False;
+      CONNECTIONSTRINGS__ECFSQLCONNECTION: Server=db;Database=${DB_NAME_COMMERCE};User Id=sa;Password=${SA_PASSWORD};Encrypt=False;
     ports:
       - 5000:80
     volumes: