Docker Like a Pro: Essential Commands and Tips

Docker has revolutionized the way developers build, ship, and run applications. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, mastering these essential Docker commands and tips will make you more efficient and productive.

1. Check Your Docker Version

Before using Docker, ensure you have it installed by running:

docker --version

To get detailed system info, use:

docker info

2. Run a Container Instantly

Quickly run a container with:

docker run -d -p 8080:80 --name my-container nginx

This runs an Nginx server in detached mode (-d), mapping port 8080 on your machine to port 80 inside the container.

3. List Running and Stopped Containers

To see all running containers:

docker ps

To include stopped containers:

docker ps -a

4. Stop and Remove Containers Easily

Stop a running container:

docker stop my-container

Remove a stopped container:

docker rm my-container

Remove all stopped containers at once:

docker rm $(docker ps -aq)

5. Remove Unused Images to Free Space

Over time, unused images take up space. Remove them with:

docker image prune -a

6. Build and Tag an Image

If you have a Dockerfile, build an image with:

docker build -t my-app .

This tags the image as my-app.

7. Run a Container in Interactive Mode

Use interactive mode to execute commands inside a running container:

docker exec -it my-container /bin/sh

For Ubuntu-based containers, use /bin/bash.

8. View Real-Time Container Logs

Monitor logs with:

docker logs -f my-container

The -f flag shows real-time updates.

9. Copy Files Between Host and Container

Copy files from your local machine to a running container:

docker cp myfile.txt my-container:/app/

Copy files from a container to your machine:

docker cp my-container:/app/myfile.txt .

10. Use Docker Compose for Multi-Container Apps

Instead of running multiple containers manually, define them in docker-compose.yml and start them with:

docker-compose up -d

Stop and remove all services:

docker-compose down

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