🐳 Docker CLI Cheat Sheet
Your one-stop guide to mastering Docker commands 🚀
📦 SECTION 1: Image Commands
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker pull <image> |
⬇️ Pull an image from Docker Hub | docker pull ubuntu |
docker images |
📸 List all local images | docker images |
docker rmi <image> |
🗑️ Remove an image | docker rmi ubuntu |
docker tag <img> <repo>:<tag> |
🏷️ Tag image for push or rename | docker tag myimg myrepo:v1 |
docker build -t <tag> . |
🏗️ Build image from Dockerfile | docker build -t myapp . |
🐳 SECTION 2: Container Lifecycle
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker run <image> |
🚀 Run a container | docker run ubuntu |
docker run -it <image> |
🖥️ Interactive container with terminal | docker run -it ubuntu bash |
docker run -d <image> |
🔄 Run in background (detached mode) | docker run -d nginx |
docker ps |
📋 List running containers | docker ps |
docker ps -a |
📋 List all containers (including stopped) | docker ps -a |
docker stop <id> |
🛑 Stop a running container | docker stop 123abc |
docker start <id> |
▶️ Start a stopped container | docker start 123abc |
docker restart <id> |
🔁 Restart a container | docker restart 123abc |
docker rm <id> |
❌ Remove a container | docker rm 123abc |
docker logs <id> |
📜 View container logs | docker logs 123abc |
📂 SECTION 3: Volume and Data Management
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker volume create <name> |
🗃️ Create a volume | docker volume create myvol |
docker volume ls |
📋 List volumes | docker volume ls |
docker volume rm <name> |
🧹 Delete a volume | docker volume rm myvol |
-v host:container |
🔗 Mount volume inside container | docker run -v $(pwd):/app ubuntu |
🌐 SECTION 4: Networking
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker network ls |
🌐 List networks | docker network ls |
docker network create <name> |
🛠️ Create a custom network | docker network create mynet |
docker network connect <net> <container> |
🔌 Connect a container to a network | docker network connect mynet webapp |
-p host:container |
🌍 Publish port to host | docker run -p 8080:80 nginx |
🧪 SECTION 5: Exec & Inspect
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker exec -it <id> bash |
🛠️ Run command inside running container | docker exec -it web bash |
docker inspect <id> |
🔍 Detailed info on container/image | docker inspect 123abc |
docker stats |
📈 Real-time usage (CPU, MEM) | docker stats |
docker top <id> |
👨💻 Show running processes inside container | docker top web |
🔄 SECTION 6: Save, Load, and Export
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker save -o <file>.tar <img> |
💾 Save image to .tar file |
docker save -o ubuntu.tar ubuntu |
docker load -i <file>.tar |
📤 Load image from tar file | docker load -i ubuntu.tar |
docker export <id> > file.tar |
📦 Export container filesystem | docker export 123abc > ubuntu.tar |
docker import <file> |
🔁 Import tar as image | docker import ubuntu.tar |
☁️ SECTION 7: DockerHub Login & Push
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker login |
🔐 Login to DockerHub | docker login |
docker logout |
🔓 Logout from DockerHub | docker logout |
docker push <user>/<image> |
📤 Push image to DockerHub | docker push myuser/myapp |
📄 SECTION 8: Dockerfile Related
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
FROM |
📦 Base image | FROM node:18 |
COPY |
📁 Copy files | COPY . /app |
RUN |
🔧 Execute command in build | RUN npm install |
CMD |
🚀 Default container command | CMD ["node", "app.js"] |
EXPOSE |
🌐 Document exposed port | EXPOSE 3000 |
🚮 SECTION 9: Clean Up Docker
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker system prune |
🧹 Remove all unused containers/images/volumes | docker system prune |
docker image prune |
🖼️ Remove dangling images | docker image prune |
docker container prune |
🗑️ Remove stopped containers | docker container prune |
docker volume prune |
💾 Remove unused volumes | docker volume prune |
🧠 Quick Tips
- Use
--rm
to auto-remove container on exit:
docker run --rm ubuntu
- Run detached with name and port:
docker run -d --name web -p 80:80 nginx
- Access logs live:
docker logs -f <container_id>
🐳 Docker CLI Mastery with --help
“Learn how to teach yourself every command with confidence.”
🔍 1. Understanding docker --help
Start with:
docker --help
👉 Shows all major command groups like:
Commands:
build Build an image from a Dockerfile
commit Create a new image from a container's changes
container Manage containers
image Manage images
volume Manage volumes
network Manage networks
...
🧠 2. Drill Down into Subcommands with --help
You can add --help
to any subcommand to discover available options.
Examples:
What to Explore | Command |
---|---|
See all image-related commands | docker image --help |
See all container commands | docker container --help |
See all run options | docker run --help |
See help for specific action | docker container start --help |
📚 3. Section-Wise Docker Command Reference
Let’s now organize all commands by category — and how to learn more using --help
.
📦 A. Docker Image Commands
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker image ls |
List images | docker image ls --help |
docker image pull |
Pull image from registry | docker image pull --help |
docker image rm |
Remove image | docker image rm --help |
docker image build |
Build image from Dockerfile | docker image build --help |
docker image tag |
Tag image | docker image tag --help |
docker image inspect |
Inspect image metadata | docker image inspect --help |
docker image prune |
Remove unused images | docker image prune --help |
🔍 Explore: docker image --help
🐳 B. Docker Container Commands
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker container ls |
List containers | docker container ls --help |
docker container run |
Create & start new container | docker run --help |
docker container start/stop |
Start/Stop container | docker container start --help |
docker container exec |
Execute inside running container | docker exec --help |
docker container logs |
Show logs | docker logs --help |
docker container rm |
Remove container | docker container rm --help |
docker container inspect |
Inspect container info | docker container inspect --help |
docker container prune |
Remove all stopped containers | docker container prune --help |
🔍 Explore: docker container --help
📂 C. Docker Volume Commands
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker volume create |
Create volume | docker volume create --help |
docker volume ls |
List volumes | docker volume ls --help |
docker volume inspect |
Inspect volume | docker volume inspect --help |
docker volume rm |
Remove volume | docker volume rm --help |
docker volume prune |
Delete unused volumes | docker volume prune --help |
🔍 Explore: docker volume --help
🌐 D. Docker Network Commands
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker network create |
Create a custom network | docker network create --help |
docker network ls |
List all networks | docker network ls --help |
docker network connect |
Connect container to network | docker network connect --help |
docker network inspect |
Network details | docker network inspect --help |
docker network rm |
Remove network | docker network rm --help |
🔍 Explore: docker network --help
🔄 E. Docker System Cleanup
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker system df |
Show disk usage | docker system df --help |
docker system prune |
Remove unused data | docker system prune --help |
docker image/container/volume prune |
Cleanup individual resources | Add --help accordingly |
🔍 Explore: docker system --help
☁️ F. Docker Registry (DockerHub)
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker login |
Login to DockerHub | docker login --help |
docker logout |
Logout | docker logout --help |
docker push |
Push image to registry | docker push --help |
docker pull |
Pull image from registry | docker pull --help |
🧪 G. Docker Exec/Inspect/Debug
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker exec |
Run inside container | docker exec --help |
docker logs |
Show logs | docker logs --help |
docker inspect |
Deep object metadata | docker inspect --help |
docker stats |
Real-time resource usage | docker stats --help |
docker top |
Processes inside container | docker top --help |
🧱 H. Docker Build Context
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker build |
Build image from Dockerfile | docker build --help |
docker commit |
Create image from container state | docker commit --help |
docker history |
Layer history of image | docker history --help |
💡 BONUS: Global Docker Options (docker --help
)
At the very top level, Docker offers global flags too:
Option | Description |
---|---|
--config |
Use custom Docker config path |
--context |
Use a specific context |
--debug |
Enable debug mode |
--version |
Show Docker version |
--help |
Show help for any command |
📦 Final Tip: Combine Flags for Mastery
Example of full command:
docker run -it --rm -v $(pwd):/app -p 3000:3000 --name myapp node bash
🐳 Docker CLI Cheat Sheet
Your one-stop guide to mastering Docker commands 🚀
📦 SECTION 1: Image Commands
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker pull <image> |
⬇️ Pull an image from Docker Hub | docker pull ubuntu |
docker images |
📸 List all local images | docker images |
docker rmi <image> |
🗑️ Remove an image | docker rmi ubuntu |
docker tag <img> <repo>:<tag> |
🏷️ Tag image for push or rename | docker tag myimg myrepo:v1 |
docker build -t <tag> . |
🏗️ Build image from Dockerfile | docker build -t myapp . |
🐳 SECTION 2: Container Lifecycle
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker run <image> |
🚀 Run a container | docker run ubuntu |
docker run -it <image> |
🖥️ Interactive container with terminal | docker run -it ubuntu bash |
docker run -d <image> |
🔄 Run in background (detached mode) | docker run -d nginx |
docker ps |
📋 List running containers | docker ps |
docker ps -a |
📋 List all containers (including stopped) | docker ps -a |
docker stop <id> |
🛑 Stop a running container | docker stop 123abc |
docker start <id> |
▶️ Start a stopped container | docker start 123abc |
docker restart <id> |
🔁 Restart a container | docker restart 123abc |
docker rm <id> |
❌ Remove a container | docker rm 123abc |
docker logs <id> |
📜 View container logs | docker logs 123abc |
📂 SECTION 3: Volume and Data Management
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker volume create <name> |
🗃️ Create a volume | docker volume create myvol |
docker volume ls |
📋 List volumes | docker volume ls |
docker volume rm <name> |
🧹 Delete a volume | docker volume rm myvol |
-v host:container |
🔗 Mount volume inside container | docker run -v $(pwd):/app ubuntu |
🌐 SECTION 4: Networking
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker network ls |
🌐 List networks | docker network ls |
docker network create <name> |
🛠️ Create a custom network | docker network create mynet |
docker network connect <net> <container> |
🔌 Connect a container to a network | docker network connect mynet webapp |
-p host:container |
🌍 Publish port to host | docker run -p 8080:80 nginx |
🧪 SECTION 5: Exec & Inspect
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker exec -it <id> bash |
🛠️ Run command inside running container | docker exec -it web bash |
docker inspect <id> |
🔍 Detailed info on container/image | docker inspect 123abc |
docker stats |
📈 Real-time usage (CPU, MEM) | docker stats |
docker top <id> |
👨💻 Show running processes inside container | docker top web |
🔄 SECTION 6: Save, Load, and Export
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker save -o <file>.tar <img> |
💾 Save image to .tar file |
docker save -o ubuntu.tar ubuntu |
docker load -i <file>.tar |
📤 Load image from tar file | docker load -i ubuntu.tar |
docker export <id> > file.tar |
📦 Export container filesystem | docker export 123abc > ubuntu.tar |
docker import <file> |
🔁 Import tar as image | docker import ubuntu.tar |
☁️ SECTION 7: DockerHub Login & Push
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker login |
🔐 Login to DockerHub | docker login |
docker logout |
🔓 Logout from DockerHub | docker logout |
docker push <user>/<image> |
📤 Push image to DockerHub | docker push myuser/myapp |
📄 SECTION 8: Dockerfile Related
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
FROM |
📦 Base image | FROM node:18 |
COPY |
📁 Copy files | COPY . /app |
RUN |
🔧 Execute command in build | RUN npm install |
CMD |
🚀 Default container command | CMD ["node", "app.js"] |
EXPOSE |
🌐 Document exposed port | EXPOSE 3000 |
🚮 SECTION 9: Clean Up Docker
Command | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
docker system prune |
🧹 Remove all unused containers/images/volumes | docker system prune |
docker image prune |
🖼️ Remove dangling images | docker image prune |
docker container prune |
🗑️ Remove stopped containers | docker container prune |
docker volume prune |
💾 Remove unused volumes | docker volume prune |
🧠 Quick Tips
- Use
--rm
to auto-remove container on exit:
docker run --rm ubuntu
- Run detached with name and port:
docker run -d --name web -p 80:80 nginx
- Access logs live:
docker logs -f <container_id>
🐳 Docker CLI Mastery with --help
“Learn how to teach yourself every command with confidence.”
🔍 1. Understanding docker --help
Start with:
docker --help
👉 Shows all major command groups like:
Commands:
build Build an image from a Dockerfile
commit Create a new image from a container's changes
container Manage containers
image Manage images
volume Manage volumes
network Manage networks
...
🧠 2. Drill Down into Subcommands with --help
You can add --help
to any subcommand to discover available options.
Examples:
What to Explore | Command |
---|---|
See all image-related commands | docker image --help |
See all container commands | docker container --help |
See all run options | docker run --help |
See help for specific action | docker container start --help |
📚 3. Section-Wise Docker Command Reference
Let’s now organize all commands by category — and how to learn more using --help
.
📦 A. Docker Image Commands
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker image ls |
List images | docker image ls --help |
docker image pull |
Pull image from registry | docker image pull --help |
docker image rm |
Remove image | docker image rm --help |
docker image build |
Build image from Dockerfile | docker image build --help |
docker image tag |
Tag image | docker image tag --help |
docker image inspect |
Inspect image metadata | docker image inspect --help |
docker image prune |
Remove unused images | docker image prune --help |
🔍 Explore: docker image --help
🐳 B. Docker Container Commands
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker container ls |
List containers | docker container ls --help |
docker container run |
Create & start new container | docker run --help |
docker container start/stop |
Start/Stop container | docker container start --help |
docker container exec |
Execute inside running container | docker exec --help |
docker container logs |
Show logs | docker logs --help |
docker container rm |
Remove container | docker container rm --help |
docker container inspect |
Inspect container info | docker container inspect --help |
docker container prune |
Remove all stopped containers | docker container prune --help |
🔍 Explore: docker container --help
📂 C. Docker Volume Commands
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker volume create |
Create volume | docker volume create --help |
docker volume ls |
List volumes | docker volume ls --help |
docker volume inspect |
Inspect volume | docker volume inspect --help |
docker volume rm |
Remove volume | docker volume rm --help |
docker volume prune |
Delete unused volumes | docker volume prune --help |
🔍 Explore: docker volume --help
🌐 D. Docker Network Commands
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker network create |
Create a custom network | docker network create --help |
docker network ls |
List all networks | docker network ls --help |
docker network connect |
Connect container to network | docker network connect --help |
docker network inspect |
Network details | docker network inspect --help |
docker network rm |
Remove network | docker network rm --help |
🔍 Explore: docker network --help
🔄 E. Docker System Cleanup
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker system df |
Show disk usage | docker system df --help |
docker system prune |
Remove unused data | docker system prune --help |
docker image/container/volume prune |
Cleanup individual resources | Add --help accordingly |
🔍 Explore: docker system --help
☁️ F. Docker Registry (DockerHub)
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker login |
Login to DockerHub | docker login --help |
docker logout |
Logout | docker logout --help |
docker push |
Push image to registry | docker push --help |
docker pull |
Pull image from registry | docker pull --help |
🧪 G. Docker Exec/Inspect/Debug
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker exec |
Run inside container | docker exec --help |
docker logs |
Show logs | docker logs --help |
docker inspect |
Deep object metadata | docker inspect --help |
docker stats |
Real-time resource usage | docker stats --help |
docker top |
Processes inside container | docker top --help |
🧱 H. Docker Build Context
Command | Description | Help Command |
---|---|---|
docker build |
Build image from Dockerfile | docker build --help |
docker commit |
Create image from container state | docker commit --help |
docker history |
Layer history of image | docker history --help |
💡 BONUS: Global Docker Options (docker --help
)
At the very top level, Docker offers global flags too:
Option | Description |
---|---|
--config |
Use custom Docker config path |
--context |
Use a specific context |
--debug |
Enable debug mode |
--version |
Show Docker version |
--help |
Show help for any command |
📦 Final Tip: Combine Flags for Mastery
Example of full command:
docker run -it --rm -v $(pwd):/app -p 3000:3000 --name myapp node bash