Master Docker Containers: Create, Run, Manage, and Migrate with Ease

Introduction

After learning about images, it's time to work with containers. A container is a running instance of an image, similar to launching a VM from a template.

This chapter covers important container operations, including docker create , docker start , docker stop , docker exec , docker rm , container migration via import/export, and data copying between container and host.

1. Create a Container

1.1 New container

Syntax:

docker create -it ubuntu:18.04

Parameters: -i Keep STDIN open for interactive use. -t Allocate a pseudo‑TTY.

1.2 Start a Container

Containers created with docker create are in a stopped state; start them with docker start .

docker start eeb

Verify with docker ps.

1.3 Create and Run

Use docker run to create and start in one step.

docker run -it ubuntu /bin/bash

docker run combines docker create and docker start .

1.4 Run in Background

Add -d to run detached. Alternatively, press Ctrl+P+Q to detach without stopping.

2. Stop a Container

2.1 Pause

Pause all processes: docker pause <container_id> Resume with docker unpause.

2.2 Stop

Send SIGTERM then SIGKILL after timeout.

docker stop 021

2.3 Kill

Force termination with SIGKILL.

docker kill 021

2.4 Remove Stopped Containers

docker container prune

3. Enter a Container

Use docker exec -it <container_id> /bin/bash to get a shell.

docker exec -it 021 /bin/bash

4. Delete a Container

Remove stopped containers with docker rm; add -f to force removal of running containers.

docker rm <container_id>
docker rm -f <container_id>

5. Import and Export

5.1 Export

Export a container to a tar file.

docker export 79b > /data/myubuntu.tar

5.2 Import

Import the tar file as a new image.

docker import /data/myubuntu.tar qinlulu/ubuntu:v1

6. Inspect Containers

Show detailed JSON info:

docker inspect <container_id>

7. List Processes

Similar to Linux top:

docker top <container_id>

8. Real‑time Stats

Monitor CPU, memory, network, etc.

docker stats <container_id>

9. Copy Files

Copy from host to container: docker cp /data dba277:/test123 Copy from container to host:

docker cp dba277:/test123 /tmp

Command Summary

docker create -it ubuntu:18.04

docker start <container_id>

docker run -it ubuntu /bin/bash

docker pause <container_id>

docker unpause <container_id>

docker stop <container_id>

docker kill <container_id>

docker exec -it <container_id> /bin/bash

docker rm <container_id>

docker rm -f <container_id>

docker export 79b > myubuntu.tar

docker import myubuntu.tar qinlulu/ubuntu:v1

docker inspect <container_id>

docker top <container_id>

docker stats <container_id>

docker cp /data dba277:/test123

docker cp dba277:/test123 /tmp