DEV Community

Harsh Mishra
Harsh Mishra

Posted on

Docker Commands Categorized

The Ultimate List of Docker Commands Categorized by Usage

Mastering Docker commands is essential for efficient containerized application development, system administration, and DevOps practices. Docker, a leading containerization platform, provides a wide range of commands to manage images, containers, networks, and volumes. This guide categorizes these commands by their usage, ensuring you can quickly find what you need. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned user, this list will be an invaluable resource.


1. Installation and Setup

Installing Docker

  • Linux:
  sudo apt update && sudo apt install docker.io -y
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Starting and Enabling Docker

  • Start Docker:
  sudo systemctl start docker
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Enable Docker on Boot:
  sudo systemctl enable docker
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Check Docker Status:
  sudo systemctl status docker
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Verify Installation:
  docker --version
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  docker run hello-world
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

2. Working with Docker Images

Searching for Images

  • Search for an Image on Docker Hub:
  docker search <image_name>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Downloading Images

  • Pull an Image:
  docker pull <image_name>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Pull a Specific Version:
  docker pull <image_name>:<tag>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Listing and Removing Images

  • List Downloaded Images:
  docker images
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Remove an Image:
  docker rmi <image_id>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Remove All Images:
  docker rmi $(docker images -q)
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

3. Managing Containers

Creating and Running Containers

  • Run a Container:
  docker run <image_name>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Run a Container in Detached Mode:
  docker run -d <image_name>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Run a Container with an Interactive Shell:
  docker run -it <image_name> /bin/bash
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Listing Containers

  • List Running Containers:
  docker ps
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • List All Containers (Including Stopped Ones):
  docker ps -a
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Stopping, Restarting, and Removing Containers

  • Stop a Running Container:
  docker stop <container_id>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Restart a Container:
  docker restart <container_id>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Remove a Stopped Container:
  docker rm <container_id>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Remove All Containers:
  docker rm $(docker ps -aq)
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

4. Managing Container Logs and Stats

  • View Logs of a Running Container:
  docker logs <container_id>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Follow Logs in Real-Time:
  docker logs -f <container_id>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Monitor Resource Usage of Containers:
  docker stats
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

5. Networking in Docker

Listing and Inspecting Networks

  • List Available Networks:
  docker network ls
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Inspect a Network:
  docker network inspect <network_name>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Creating and Removing Networks

  • Create a Network:
  docker network create <network_name>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Remove a Network:
  docker network rm <network_name>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Connecting and Disconnecting Containers to a Network

  • Connect a Container to a Network:
  docker network connect <network_name> <container_id>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Disconnect a Container from a Network:
  docker network disconnect <network_name> <container_id>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

6. Working with Docker Volumes

Creating and Managing Volumes

  • Create a Volume:
  docker volume create <volume_name>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • List Available Volumes:
  docker volume ls
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Inspect a Volume:
  docker volume inspect <volume_name>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Using Volumes in Containers

  • Mount a Volume When Running a Container:
  docker run -v <volume_name>:/data <image_name>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Remove a Volume:
  docker volume rm <volume_name>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Remove All Unused Volumes:
  docker volume prune
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

7. Docker Compose

Installing Docker Compose

  • Linux:
  sudo apt install docker-compose
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Mac & Windows: Docker Compose is included in Docker Desktop.

Basic Docker Compose Commands

  • Start Services in Detached Mode:
  docker-compose up -d
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Stop Services:
  docker-compose down
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • View Logs:
  docker-compose logs
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

8. Cleanup and Maintenance

  • Remove Unused Images:
  docker image prune
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Remove Unused Containers:
  docker container prune
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Remove Unused Networks:
  docker network prune
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Remove Unused Volumes:
  docker volume prune
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode
  • Remove Everything:
  docker system prune -a
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

This comprehensive guide ensures you have quick access to the most essential Docker commands. Stay tuned for updates and feel free to suggest additional commands to enhance this reference!

Top comments (0)