🚀 Running an Ubuntu Container with Docker – Hands-On

After understanding Dockerfiles, it’s time to see Docker in action by running a real operating system — Ubuntu — inside a container!

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🧰 Prerequisite

Make sure:

• Docker is installed and running on your machine (Docker Desktop or CLI)

• You have access to a terminal (VS Code, Terminal, or any shell)

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🔽 Step 1: Pull the Ubuntu Image

To download the Ubuntu image from Docker Hub, use:

docker pull ubuntu

Also you can head over this link to take a look at the Ubuntu Image page.

This pulls the latest Ubuntu image from the cloud (Docker Hub) and saves it locally.

✅ GUI Check:

If you're using Docker Desktop, navigate to the Images tab, and you’ll now see the ubuntu image listed.

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▶️ Step 2: Run the Ubuntu Image as a Container

docker run -it ubuntu

🔍 Explanation:

• docker run: Starts a new container

• -it: Enables interactive terminal mode

• ubuntu: The name of the image to use

This will drop you inside a terminal running within a Docker container, logged in as root!

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🖥️ Step 3: Try Ubuntu Commands Inside the Container

You now have a full Ubuntu environment inside your container. Test it like this:

root@container-id:~# mkdir hello
root@container-id:~# cd hello
root@container-id:~/hello# touch ubuntu.txt
root@container-id:~/hello# ls
ubuntu.txt

You just:

• Created a directory

• Navigated into it

• Created a file

• Verified it exists

✅ Yes, you're running an entire Ubuntu OS inside a Docker container.

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💡 Why Is This Cool?

• You didn’t install Ubuntu separately.

• It runs isolated from your main system.

• You can experiment, break, and restart it without affecting your host machine.

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🧠 Summary:

• Pulled a base image (ubuntu) from Docker Hub

• Started a container with interactive access

• Ran typical Linux commands inside it

• Verified the container from the Docker GUI

In next blog we will explore how do you create your own docker image with the snap of your finger.