Docker Basic Commands

Managing Images

1. List Downloaded Images

   docker images
   

   • Displays all locally stored images with details like size and tags.

2. Remove an Image

   docker image rm <image_name/id> -f
   

   • -f: Force deletion (even if the image is in use).

   • Remove all images:

     docker rmi $(docker images -q)
     

3. Build an Image from a Dockerfile

   docker build -t <image_name>:<image_version> <path_to_dockerfile>
   

   • Example:

     docker build -t myapp:v1.3.17 .
     

Managing Containers

1. List Containers

   • Running containers:

     docker ps
     

   • All containers (running/stopped):

     docker ps -a
     

2. Run a Container

   docker run [options] <image>
   

   • Common flags:

     -d  # Run in detached mode
     -p 8080:80  # Map host port to container port
     -v /host/path:/container/path  # Mount a volume
     -e ENV_VAR=value  # Set environment variable
     --name <container_name>  # Assign a custom name
     

3. Lifecycle Management

   • Start a stopped container:

     docker start <container>
     

   • Stop a running container:

     docker stop <container>
     

   • Restart a container:

     docker restart <container>
     

   • Delete a container:

     docker rm <container>
     

   • Remove all stopped containers:

     docker container prune
     

4. Interact with Containers

   • View logs:

     docker logs <container>
     

   • Access a running container (interactive shell):

     docker exec -it <container> /bin/bash
     

   • Monitor resource usage:

     docker stats
     

Advanced Operations

1. Volume Management

   • List volumes:

     docker volume ls
     

   • Create a volume:

     docker volume create <volume_name>
     

2. Network Management

   • List networks:

     docker network ls
     

   • Connect a container to a network:

     docker network connect <network> <container>
     

3. Inspect Details

   • View detailed metadata:

     docker inspect <container/image>
     

Pro Tips

1. Clean Unused Resources

   docker system prune -a
   

   • Removes all stopped containers, unused images, and networks.

2. Real-Time Log Streaming

   docker logs -f <container>
   

   • -f: Follow logs in real-time (similar to tail -f).

3. Copy Files Between Host and Container

   docker cp <container>:<path> <host_path>  # Copy from container
   docker cp <host_path> <container>:<path>  # Copy to container
   

4. Save/Load Images as Files

   • Export an image:

     docker save -o <file.tar> <image>
     

   • Import an image:

     docker load -i <file.tar>