What is docker?

The basic idea behind Docker is to create lightweight ‘virtual machines’ that are specifically configured to run a single piece of software. This means you don’t have to worry about dependencies or any sort of compatibility issues, as the ‘virtual machine’ has everything pre-configured and ready to go.

How to install and setup?

There are many ways to install docker depending on your distro. Here are the ones i need

# Debain
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh

# Arch
sudo pacman -S docker

This will install docker but please be smart and use docker-compose, most distros built-in package manager should have it so

# Debian
sudo apt install docker-compose

# Arch
sudo pacman -Syu docker-compose

By default we need root privilege but that can be fixed!

sudo groupadd docker
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

# Re-login for it to have effect

Now you can run docker and docker-compose commands without sudo.

Basic Commands

Start/Stop/Remove containers

# Start existing container(s)
docker start <container name>

# Stop running container(s)
docker stop <container name>

# Remove existing container(s) (Must be stopped)
docker rm <container name>

To check running/all containers

# List all running containers
docker ps

# List ALL containers
docker ps -a

Docker networks

# list networks
docker network ls

# Remove all unused networks
docker network prune

# Remove selected network(s)
docker network rm <network name> 

Docker images

# List all images
docker image ls

# Remove all unused images
docker image prune -a

# Remove selected image(s)
docker image rm <image name>

Docker build

# Build image
docker build -t <image name> .

# Use -f for files that aren't named Dockerfile
docker build -t <image name> -f <file name>

# Clear build cache
docker builder prune -a

Running commands inside containers

# Single command
docker exec <container name> <command>

# Access to shell on container
docker exec -it <container name> bash

Docker compose commands

# Run docker compose in foreground
docker compose up

# Run docker compose in background
docker compose up -d

# Use -f for files that aren't named docker-compose.yml
docker compose up -d -f /path/to/docker-compose.yml

# Pull new images
docker compose pull

# You can run most of the commands using docker-compose too
docker compose start
docker compose stop
docker compose rm
docker compose -f logs
docker compose exec <container-name> <command>