Comprehensive Guide to Docker Core Commands (2026 Edition)

1. Check Docker version

Command: docker version Outputs client and server version details, useful for verifying installation success, confirming client‑server versions, and diagnosing compatibility issues.

2. View Docker system information

Command: docker info Shows runtime environment details, including container count, image count, storage driver (e.g., overlay2), CPU, memory, Docker root directory, and cgroup information. Typical scenarios: server inspection, environment checks, performance debugging.

3. List images

Command: docker images (alias docker image ls)

Displays local images with columns REPOSITORY, TAG, IMAGE ID, etc. Example output shows nginx and mysql images.

4. Pull images

Command: docker pull <image>[:tag] Downloads an image from a registry. Specify a version tag (e.g., docker pull mysql:8.4) or pull the latest tag ( docker pull redis:latest). Use cases: initializing environments, deploying applications, updating images.

5. Run containers

Command: docker run <image> Runs a container from an image. Examples:

Run nginx: docker run nginx Run nginx in detached mode: docker run -d nginx Port mapping: docker run -d -p 80:80 nginx Assign container name:

docker run --name my-nginx -p 80:80 nginx

6. List running containers

Command: docker ps (add -a to list all containers).

7. Stop and start containers

Stop: docker stop <container> Start: docker start <container> Force stop:

docker kill <container>

8. Execute commands inside a container

Command: docker exec -it <container> <command> Examples: docker exec -it nginx bash or docker exec -it redis sh. Use cases: modify configuration, view logs, debug programs.

9. View container logs

Command: docker logs <container> Real‑time logs: docker logs -f <container> Tail last 100 lines: docker logs --tail 100 <container> Show timestamps:

docker logs -t <container>

10. Monitor container resources

Command: docker stats Outputs CPU %, MEM USAGE, NET I/O, BLOCK I/O. Useful for online performance troubleshooting such as CPU spikes, memory leaks, or network anomalies.

11. Remove containers

Command: docker rm <container> Remove multiple containers: docker rm id1 id2 id3 Force removal: docker rm -f <container> Delete all stopped containers:

docker container prune -a

12. Remove images

Command: docker rmi <image> Delete by ID: docker rmi image_id Remove unused images: docker image prune Delete all unused resources (images, networks, build cache): docker system prune -a – use with caution in production.

13. Inspect containers or images

Command: docker inspect <name_or_id> Provides detailed configuration of a container or image.

Note: docker system prune -a will delete unused images, networks, and build caches; exercise caution in production environments.