Basic Docker Commands for Beginners

Docker is a popular containerization platform that allows developers to package applications and their dependencies into lightweight, portable containers. This guide covers essential Docker commands for getting started.

1. Installing Docker

macOS (via Homebrew)

brew install --cask docker

Linux (Debian-based)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install docker.io

Windows

Download and install Docker Desktop from docker.com.

2. Checking Docker Installation

docker --version

docker info

3. Managing Docker Containers

Run a container

docker run hello-world

List running containers

docker ps

List all containers (including stopped)

docker ps -a

Stop a container

docker stop container_id

Remove a container

docker rm container_id

4. Working with Docker Images

List downloaded images

docker images

Pull an image from Docker Hub

docker pull image_name

Remove an image

docker rmi image_name

5. Building Docker Images

Build an image from a Dockerfile

docker build -t image_name .

6. Docker Networks

List networks

docker network ls

Create a network

docker network create network_name

Connect a container to a network

docker network connect network_name container_id

7. Docker Volumes

List volumes

docker volume ls

Create a volume

docker volume create volume_name

Remove a volume

docker volume rm volume_name