Docker Command Reference

Essential Docker commands for containerization - from basics to Docker Compose

Quick Start

Run Your First Container

docker pull nginx
docker run -d -p 8080:80 nginx
# Visit http://localhost:8080

Build Custom Image

# Create Dockerfile
docker build -t myapp .
docker run -d -p 3000:3000 myapp

Image Management

docker imagesList all images
docker pull <image>Download image from registry
docker build -t <name> .Build image from Dockerfile
docker build -t <name> -f <dockerfile> .Build with specific Dockerfile
docker tag <image> <new-name>Tag an image
docker rmi <image>Remove image
docker rmi $(docker images -q)Remove all images
docker image pruneRemove unused images
docker history <image>Show image build history

Container Management

docker psList running containers
docker ps -aList all containers
docker run <image>Create and start container
docker run -d <image>Run in detached mode
docker run -p 8080:80 <image>Map ports (host:container)
docker run -v /host:/container <image>Mount volume
docker run --name <name> <image>Run with custom name
docker run -it <image> bashRun with interactive shell
docker start <container>Start stopped container
docker stop <container>Stop running container
docker restart <container>Restart container
docker rm <container>Remove container
docker rm $(docker ps -aq)Remove all containers
docker logs <container>View container logs
docker logs -f <container>Follow container logs
docker exec -it <container> bashExecute command in running container
docker inspect <container>View container details
docker statsView resource usage stats

Volumes (Data Persistence)

docker volume lsList all volumes
docker volume create <name>Create named volume
docker volume inspect <name>View volume details
docker volume rm <name>Remove volume
docker volume pruneRemove unused volumes

Networking

docker network lsList networks
docker network create <name>Create network
docker network connect <network> <container>Connect container to network
docker network disconnect <network> <container>Disconnect container from network
docker network inspect <name>View network details
docker network rm <name>Remove network

Docker Compose

docker-compose upStart services defined in docker-compose.yml
docker-compose up -dStart services in detached mode
docker-compose downStop and remove services
docker-compose down -vStop services and remove volumes
docker-compose psList running services
docker-compose logsView service logs
docker-compose logs -fFollow service logs
docker-compose restartRestart all services
docker-compose buildBuild service images
docker-compose exec <service> bashExecute command in service

Docker Registry

docker loginLogin to Docker registry
docker logoutLogout from registry
docker push <image>Push image to registry
docker search <term>Search Docker Hub for images

System & Maintenance

docker system dfShow disk usage
docker system pruneRemove unused data
docker system prune -aRemove all unused images, not just dangling
docker system infoDisplay system information
docker versionShow Docker version

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