💡 Why This Cheat Sheet is Your Must-Read
Are you tired of constantly searching for that one Docker command you used last month? This cheat sheet is designed to be your single source of truth for day-to-day and production-grade Docker operations.
This guide provides practical, real-world commands for:
Rapid Development: Speed up your local development with efficient image and container management.
Production Deployment: Learn the commands for advanced operations like Docker Compose, Volumes, and Networking.
Troubleshooting: Quickly debug running containers and manage resources effectively with logs and cleanup commands.
Structured Learning: Every command is broken down into a clear Command, Description, and Use Case to maximize your understanding.
Stop Googling, Start Shipping!
✔️ Well-organized command categories
✔️ Real production use-cases
✔️ Clean tables for quick lookup
✔️ Beginner-friendly but powerful
✔️ Includes Compose, Networks, Volumes, Plugins & Maintenance
Docker Basics & System Info Container Lifecycle Images Docker Compose Volumes Registry & Hub Networks Logs & Debugging Cleanup & Maintenance Plugin Management Useful Resources
1. Docker Basics & System Information
Command
Description
Production Use Case
Example
docker --versionShows installed Docker version.
Verify environment before deployment.
docker -v
docker infoDisplays system-wide details (containers, images, drivers).
Debugging host-level issues.
docker info
docker pull <image>Downloads an image from registry.
Retrieve base images for deployment.
docker pull nginx:latest
docker imagesLists all local images.
Audit and cleanup.
docker image ls
docker psShows running containers.
Check active services quickly.
docker container ls
docker ps -aShows all containers (including stopped).
Debug recently failed services.
docker container ls -a
docker run <options> <image>Creates + starts container.
Deploying a service.
docker run -d -p 8080:80 nginx
Command
Description
Use Case
Example
docker start <id>Starts a stopped container.
Restart service after maintenance.
docker start web_app
docker stop <id>Gracefully stops container.
Controlled shutdown.
docker stop db_service
docker kill <id>Force-stops container.
Kill unresponsive container.
docker kill web_app
docker restart <id>Restarts container.
Apply config changes.
docker restart api_server
docker rm <id>Removes stopped container.
Cleanup.
docker rm old_api
Command
Description
Use Case
Example
docker build -t <name> .Builds image from Dockerfile.
Create custom application image.
docker build -t my-api:v1 .
docker rmi <image>Removes an image.
Free disk space.
docker rmi my-api:v1
docker image pruneRemoves unused images.
Routine cleanup.
docker image prune -a
4. Docker Compose (Multi-container Apps)
Command
Description
Use Case
Example
docker-compose up -dStarts services.
Bring up full stack.
docker-compose up -d
docker-compose downStops + removes services.
Reset environment.
docker-compose down
docker-compose psShows service status.
Check stack health.
docker-compose ps
docker-compose logs <service>View logs.
Debug app.
docker-compose logs -f web
docker-compose exec <service> <cmd>Run command in container.
DB shell, migrations.
docker-compose exec db psql
5. Volumes (Data Persistence)
Command
Description
Use Case
Example
docker volume create <name>Creates volume.
Setup DB storage.
docker volume create pg_data
docker run -v <vol>:<path>Mounts a volume.
Persist DB/files.
docker run -v pg:/var/lib/postgresql/data
docker volume lsLists volumes.
Storage audit.
docker volume ls
docker volume rm <name>Removes volume.
Cleanup.
docker volume rm old_vol
docker volume pruneRemoves unused volumes.
Maintenance.
docker volume prune
Command
Description
Use Case
Example
docker loginLogin to registry.
Push private images.
docker login
docker push <image>Push image to registry.
Publish production images.
docker push myrepo/api:v1
docker pull <image>Pull image.
Deploy specific version.
docker pull myrepo/api:latest
Command
Description
Use Case
Example
docker network create <name>Creates network.
Isolated backend network.
docker network create backend
docker network lsLists networks.
Network audit.
docker network ls
docker network connect <net> <container>Connects container to network.
Add new service to stack.
docker network connect backend api
docker network disconnect <net> <container>Disconnects container.
Debug isolation.
docker network disconnect backend api
8. Logs, Debugging & Monitoring
Command
Description
Use Case
Example
docker logs <id>View logs.
Debug failures.
docker logs -f web
docker exec -it <id> /bin/bashShell into container.
Inspect, debug.
docker exec -it api bash
docker statsReal-time resource usage.
Monitor performance.
docker stats
Command
Description
Use Case
Example
docker system pruneRemove unused containers, networks, images.
Full cleanup.
docker system prune -f
docker container pruneRemove stopped containers.
Dev/test cleanup.
docker container prune
docker image prune -aRemove unused images.
Free disk space.
docker image prune -a
docker volume pruneRemove unused volumes.
Storage maintenance.
docker volume prune
Command
Description
Use Case
Example
docker plugin enable <name>Enable plugin.
Activate drivers.
docker plugin enable my-driver
docker plugin disable <name>Disable plugin.
Troubleshooting.
docker plugin disable my-driver
docker plugin create <name>Create plugin.
Custom extensions.
docker plugin create custom-driver
docker plugin inspect <name>View plugin info.
Validate config.
docker plugin inspect custom-driver
docker plugin rm <name>Remove plugin.
Uninstall.
docker plugin rm custom-driver
🎥 Videos (Search on YouTube)
“Docker Explained in 100 Seconds”
“Docker Volumes Tutorial”
“Docker Networking Explained”
S.No.
Image
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
GitHub Repo:
👉 https://github.com/alok-kumar8765/docker_cheatcode
If you found this helpful, don’t forget to ⭐ star the repo!
