Docker CLI Cheat Sheet

Jasai HansdaJasai Hansda
3 min read

Docker is a powerful tool that allows developers to create, deploy, and run applications in containers. This cheat sheet provides a quick reference to the most commonly used Docker CLI commands, helping you streamline your workflow and manage your containers with ease.

INSTALLATION


GENERAL COMMANDS

Start the docker daemon:

docker -d

Get help with Docker:

Can also use –help on all subcommands

docker --help

Display system-wide information:

docker info

IMAGES

Docker images are a lightweight, standalone, executable package of software that includes everything needed to run an application: code, runtime, system tools, system libraries and settings.

Build an Image from a Dockerfile:

docker build -t <image_name>

Build an Image from a Dockerfile without the cache:

docker build -t <image_name> . –no-cache

List local images:

docker images

Delete an Image:

docker rmi <image_name>

Remove all unused images:

docker image prune

CONTAINERS

A container is a runtime instance of a docker image. A container will always run the same, regardless of the infrastructure. Containers isolate software from its environment and ensure it works the same way, even with differences between development and staging.

Create and run a container from an image, with a custom name:

docker run --name <container_name> <image_name>

Run a container with and publish a container’s port(s) to the host:

docker run -p <host_port>:<container_port> <image_name>

Run a container in the background:

docker run -d <image_name>

Start or stop an existing container:

docker start|stop <container_name> (or <container-id>)

Remove a stopped container:

docker rm <container_name>

Open a shell inside a running container:

docker exec -it <container_name> sh

Fetch and follow the logs of a container:

docker logs -f <container_name>

To inspect a running container:

docker inspect <container_name> (or <container_id>)

To list currently running containers:

docker ps

List all docker containers (running and stopped):

docker ps --all

View resource usage stats:

docker container stats

DOCKER HUB

Docker Hub is a service provided by Docker for finding and sharing container images with your team. Learn more and find images at https://hub.docker.com

Login into Docker:

docker login -u <username>

Publish an image to Docker Hub:

docker push <username>/<image_name>

Search Hub for an image:

docker search <image_name>

Pull an image from a Docker Hub:

docker pull <image_name>

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Written by

Jasai Hansda
Jasai Hansda

Software Engineer (2 years) | In-transition to DevOps. Passionate about building and deploying software efficiently. Eager to leverage my development background in the DevOps and cloud computing world. Open to new opportunities!