Docker CLI Cheat Sheet

The Docker CLI (Command Line Interface) is a powerful tool used to interact with Docker containers, images, networks, and more. This cheat sheet provides a reference for the most commonly used Docker CLI commands.

Commands

Command Description
docker build -t <image_name> . Build an image from a Dockerfile.
docker build -t <image_name> . --no-cache Build an image from a Dockerfile without using the cache.
docker images List all local Docker images.
docker rmi <image_name> Delete a specific Docker image.
docker image prune Remove all unused Docker images.
docker push <username>/<image_name> Publish an image to Docker Hub.
docker search <image_name> Search Docker Hub for an image.
docker pull <image_name> Pull an image from Docker Hub.

Command Description
docker run --name <container_name> <image_name> Create and run a container with a custom name.
docker run -p <host_port>:<container_port> <image_name> Run a container and publish its port(s) to the host.
docker run -d <image_name> Run a container in the background (detached mode).
docker start <container_name> Start an existing container.
docker stop <container_name> Stop a running container.
docker rm <container_name> Remove a stopped container.
docker exec -it <container_name> sh Open a shell inside a running container.
docker logs -f <container_name> Fetch and follow the logs of a container.
docker inspect <container_name> Inspect a running container.
docker ps List currently running containers.
docker ps --all List all Docker containers, both running and stopped.
docker container stats View resource usage statistics of containers.

Command Description
docker login -u <username> Login to Docker Hub with a username.
docker push <username>/<image_name> Publish an image to Docker Hub.
docker search <image_name> Search Docker Hub for an image.
docker pull <image_name> Pull an image from Docker Hub.

Command Description
docker --help Get help with Docker commands. You can also use --help with any subcommand.
docker info Display system-wide Docker information.
docker -d Start the Docker daemon.

Docker Concepts

Images: Docker images are lightweight, standalone, executable packages that include everything needed to run an application: code, runtime, system tools, system libraries, and settings.

Containers: A container is a runtime instance of a Docker image. Containers isolate software from its environment and ensure that it works uniformly despite differences in infrastructure.

Docker Hub: Docker Hub is a service provided by Docker for finding and sharing container images with your team. Visit Docker Hub to learn more and find images.

Installation: Docker Desktop is available for Mac, Linux, and Windows. Visit Docker Desktop Installation for more information.

Documentation: Check out the official Docker documentation for detailed information on using Docker: Docker Docs.

Example Projects: View example projects that use Docker at Awesome Compose on GitHub.


Additional Information

Command Description
docker inspect <container_name> | <image_name> Retrieve detailed information about a container or image.
docker logs <container_name> Fetch the logs of a container.
docker events Get real-time events from the Docker daemon.
docker diff <container_name> Inspect changes to files or directories on a container’s filesystem.
docker top <container_name> Display the running processes of a container.

Command Description
docker network ls List all Docker networks.
docker network create <network_name> Create a new Docker network.
docker network inspect <network_name> Inspect a Docker network.
docker network rm <network_name> Remove a Docker network.
docker network connect <network_name> <container_name> Connect a container to a network.
docker network disconnect <network_name> <container_name> Disconnect a container from a network.

Command Description
docker volume ls List all Docker volumes.
docker volume create <volume_name> Create a new Docker volume.
docker volume inspect <volume_name> Inspect a Docker volume.
docker volume rm <volume_name> Remove a Docker volume.
docker volume prune Remove all unused Docker volumes.

Command Description
docker-compose up Create and start containers defined in a docker-compose.yml file.
docker-compose down Stop and remove containers, networks, images, and volumes created by docker-compose up.
docker-compose build Build or rebuild services defined in a docker-compose.yml file.
docker-compose logs View output from containers.
docker-compose ps List containers.
docker-compose exec <service> <command> Execute a command in a running service container.

For more information on Docker Compose, visit the Docker Compose Documentation.


Resources