Master Docker: Essential Commands for Efficient Container Management

Docker Common Commands Reference

Docker Common Commands

Docker is an open‑source container engine widely used for developing, deploying, and running distributed applications. Mastering common Docker commands is crucial for developers and operations staff.

1. Installation and Version Management

1.1 Check Docker version

docker --version

Displays the currently installed Docker version.

1.2 Check Docker service status

docker info

Shows detailed Docker system information, helping you understand the runtime status.

1.3 Start/Stop Docker service (Linux)

# Start Docker service
sudo systemctl start docker

# Stop Docker service
sudo systemctl stop docker

# Restart Docker service
sudo systemctl restart docker

2. Image Management

2.1 Pull image

docker pull <image_name>:<tag>

For example, pull the latest nginx image:

docker pull nginx:latest

2.2 List local images

docker images

Lists all local Docker images.

2.3 Search images

docker search <keyword>

For example, search for a Redis image:

docker search redis

2.4 Delete image

docker rmi <image_id_or_name>

Deletes the specified image; if the image is used by a container, remove the container first.

2.5 Build image

docker build -t <image_name>:<tag> .

Builds an image using a Dockerfile.

2.6 Export and import image

# Export image
docker save -o <filename>.tar <image_name>

# Import image
docker load -i <filename>.tar

3. Container Management

3.1 Run container

docker run <image_name>

Example: start a container from the nginx image:

docker run nginx

3.2 Run container in background

docker run -d <image_name>

Example: run Redis in detached mode:

docker run -d redis

3.3 List running containers

docker ps

Shows all currently running containers.

3.4 List all containers (including stopped)

docker ps -a

3.5 Delete container

docker rm <container_id_or_name>

Deletes a container; if it is running, stop it first.

3.6 Stop container

docker stop <container_id_or_name>

Stops a running container.

3.7 Exec into container

docker exec -it <container_id_or_name> /bin/bash

Opens an interactive shell inside the container.

3.8 View container logs

docker logs <container_id_or_name>

Displays the container's standard output and error logs.

3.9 Follow container logs

docker logs -f <container_id_or_name>

Streams logs in real time.

3.10 View container resource usage

docker stats <container_id_or_name>

Shows real‑time CPU, memory, and other resource usage.

3.11 Inspect container

docker inspect <container_id_or_name>

Displays detailed configuration information of the container.

3.12 Export and import container

# Export container to tar file
docker export <container_id> -o <filename>.tar

# Import container from tar file
docker import <filename>.tar <image_name>

4. Network Management

4.1 List networks

docker network ls

4.2 Create network

docker network create <network_name>

4.3 Delete network

docker network rm <network_name>

4.4 Connect container to network

docker network connect <network_name> <container_name>

4.5 Disconnect container from network

docker network disconnect <network_name> <container_name>

4.6 Inspect network

docker network inspect <network_name>

5. Volume Management

5.1 List volumes

docker volume ls

5.2 Create volume

docker volume create <volume_name>

5.3 Delete volume

docker volume rm <volume_name>

5.4 Inspect volume

docker volume inspect <volume_name>

5.5 Mount volume to container

docker run -v <volume_name>:/path/in/container <image_name>

6. Logging and Debugging

6.1 View container logs

docker logs <container_id_or_name>

6.2 Follow logs in real time

docker logs -f <container_id_or_name>

6.3 View container resource usage

docker stats <container_id_or_name>

6.4 Inspect container details

docker inspect <container_id_or_name>

7. System Management and Cleanup

7.1 View Docker system information

docker info

7.2 Prune unused resources

docker system prune -f

The -f flag skips the confirmation prompt.

7.3 Prune unused images

docker image prune -a -f

7.4 Prune stopped containers

docker container prune -f

7.5 Prune unused volumes

docker volume prune -f

7.6 Prune unused networks

docker network prune -f

8. Common Composite Commands

8.1 Prune all unused resources (images, containers, volumes, networks)

docker system prune -af --volumes

8.2 Stop and remove all containers

docker stop $(docker ps -q) && docker rm $(docker ps -a -q)

8.3 Remove all unused images, networks and volumes

docker image prune -a -f && docker volume prune -f && docker network prune -f

Conclusion

By mastering these common Docker commands, you can manage Docker environments more efficiently, streamline workflows, and improve development and operations productivity. As projects grow, proper container and image management becomes critical. We hope this summary helps you enhance your Docker skills.