20 Essential Docker Commands You Should Learn

Docker is a platform that helps developers build and deploy containerized applications. It solves operating system compatibility challenges providing lightweight virtualized environments. Docker’s primary command line interface (CLI) supports nearly 60 subcommands and allows developers to work with containers. The CLI will be your primary interface, whether using the open-source Docker Engine or the user-friendly GUI interface of Docker Desktop.

Here are some essential docker commands you should know:

1. docker system

Command:

  docker system df

• Explanation:
  Shows how disk space is utilized in the Docker environment.

Command:

  docker system prune

• Explanation:
  Removes unused networks, containers, images, or volumes to free up space.

Command:

  docker system info

• Explanation:
  Displays system-related information.

Command:

  docker system events

• Explanation:
  Displays a real-time log of system events.

2. docker context

Command:

  docker context ls

• Explanation:
  Displays details of the default context.

Command:

  docker context inspect <CONTEXT>

• Explanation:
  Inspects a specified context.
• Example:

  docker context inspect my_context

Command:

  docker context create <CONTEXT>

• Explanation:
  Creates a new context.
• Example:

  docker context create my_new_context

Command:

  docker context use <CONTEXT>

• Explanation:
  Switches between contexts.
• Example:

  docker context use my_context

3. docker pause and unpause

Command:

  docker pause <CONTAINER>

• Explanation:
  Freezes a container’s active processes.
• Example:

  docker pause my_container

Command:

  docker unpause <CONTAINER>

• Explanation:
  Resumes paused container processes.
• Example:

  docker unpause my_container

4. docker rm

Command:

  docker rm <CONTAINER>

• Explanation:
  Removes containers, volumes, and networks based on specified attributes.
• Example:

  docker rm my_container

5. docker rmi

• Command:

  docker rmi <IMAGE_ID>

• Explanation:
  Removes images by specifying the image ID.
• Example:

  docker rmi my_image_id

6. docker volume

• Command:

  docker volume create [OPTIONAL NAME]

• Explanation:
  Creates a new volume with an optional name.
• Example:

  docker volume create my_volume

Command:

  docker volume ls

• Explanation:
  Lists available volumes.
• Example:

  docker volume ls

Command:

  docker volume inspect <NAME>

• Explanation:
  Shows detailed information about a volume.
• Example:

  docker volume inspect my_volume

Command:

  docker volume rm <NAME>

• Explanation:
  Removes a volume.
• Example:

  docker volume rm my_volume

7. docker search

Command:

  docker search --filter is-official=true --filter stars=500 mysql

• Explanation:
  Searches for images on Docker Hub using specified filters.
• Example:

  docker search --filter is-official=true --filter stars=500 mysql

8. docker push

Command:

  docker push [OPTIONS] NAME[:TAG]

• Explanation:
  Pushes images to the Docker Hub registry or a private repository.
• Example:

  docker push my_image:latest

9. docker pull

Command:

  docker pull [OPTIONS] NAME[:TAG|@DIGEST]

• Explanation:
  Downloads a Docker image from a repository in a private or public registry.
• Example:

  docker pull my_image:latest

10. docker ps

Command:

  docker ps [OPTIONS]

• Explanation:
  Lists running containers with various options.
• Example:

  docker ps -a

11. docker tag

Command:

  docker tag SOURCE_IMAGE[:TAG] TARGET_IMAGE[:TAG]

• Explanation:
  Adds metadata, such as version, to an image.
• Example:

  docker tag my_source_image:latest my_target_image:1.0

12. docker rename

Command:

  docker rename [OLD_NAME] [NEW_NAME]

• Explanation:
  Renames a container.
• Example:

  docker rename old_container new_container

13. docker commit

Command:

  docker commit [CONTAINER_ID] [name-of-new-image]

• Explanation:
  Creates a new image after changes to a container’s files.
• Example:

  docker commit my_container my_custom_image

14. docker network

Command:

  docker network create <NETWORK>

• Explanation:
  Creates a new Docker network.
• Example:

  docker network create my_network

15. docker history

Command:

  docker history <IMAGE>

• Explanation:
  Displays the history of a specified Docker image.
• Example:

  docker history my_image

16. docker update

Command:

  docker update --restart unless-stopped <CONTAINER>

• Explanation:
  Updates a container’s restart policy.
• Example:

  docker update --restart unless-stopped my_container

17. docker plugin install

Command:

  docker plugin install <PLUGIN_NAME>

• Explanation:
  Installs a Docker plugin.
• Example:

docker plugin install my_plugin

18. docker container

Command:

  docker container exec -it <CONTAINER> /bin/bash

• Explanation:
  Executes an interactive shell within a running container.
• Example:

  docker container exec -it my_container /bin/bash

19. docker logs

Command:

  docker logs --tail 50 -f <CONTAINER>

• Explanation:
  Retrieves and follows the last 50 lines of logs from a running container in real time.
• Example:

  docker logs --tail 50 -f my_running_container

20. docker swarm

Command:

  docker swarm init

• Explanation:
  Initiates a Docker swarm.
• Example:

  docker swarm init

Docker proves to be a powerful tool for constructing and overseeing containerized applications. Simplified CLI commands enhance the creation and management of intricate applications. Proficiency in the 20 highlighted Docker commands accelerates containerized application development. Managed WordPress Hosting customers leverage Docker-Desktop-based DevKinsta tools for efficient website development and deployment. Users of the Application Hosting service benefit from Docker integration and seamless collaboration with popular Git providers (Bitbucket, GitHub, or GitLab) for version control and swift deployment of containerized applications.

Note: Know More about SSH-ING INTO A DOCKER CONTAINER: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE