Docker Quick Reference
Containers, images, and docker-compose commands for rapid deployment.
Images
Docker images are the blueprints for containers.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
docker build -t <name> . |
Build an image from a Dockerfile in the current directory |
docker images |
List all local images |
docker rmi <image-id> |
Remove a specific image |
docker pull <image> |
Download an image from Docker Hub |
docker push <image> |
Upload an image to a registry |
Containers
Containers are running instances of images.
# Run a container in the background (detached mode)
docker run -d --name <container-name> <image>
# Run a container and map a port (HostPort:ContainerPort)
docker run -p 8080:80 <image>
# Run a container and map a local volume
docker run -v /local/dir:/container/dir <image>
# List all running containers
docker ps
# List ALL containers (running and stopped)
docker ps -a
Managing Containers
[!TIP] Use
docker execto run commands inside an already running container.
# Start a stopped container
docker start <container-id>
# Stop a running container gracefully
docker stop <container-id>
# Force stop a running container immediately
docker kill <container-id>
# Remove a stopped container
docker rm <container-id>
# Open an interactive bash shell inside a running container
docker exec -it <container-name> /bin/bash
Docker Compose
Docker Compose is used to run multi-container applications.
# Start all services defined in docker-compose.yml in the background
docker-compose up -d
# Stop all running services
docker-compose stop
# Stop and remove all containers, networks, and volumes
docker-compose down
# View logs for all services
docker-compose logs -f

