Docker Compose Cheat Sheet

Here’s a Docker Compose cheat sheet to help you quickly reference common commands and configurations when working with Docker Compose for managing multi-container applications:

Basic Commands:

• Start Containers: docker-compose up
• Start Containers in the Background: docker-compose up -d
• Stop Containers: docker-compose down
• Build or Rebuild Services: docker-compose build
• View Logs: docker-compose logs
• List Containers: docker-compose ps

Configuration File:

• Create a Docker Compose File: touch docker-compose.yml
• Edit the Docker Compose File: Use a text editor like nano or vim.
• Specify Services: Define services, networks, and volumes in YAML format.

Services:

• Define Services:

services:
  web:
    image: nginx:latest
    ports:
      - "80:80"

• Scale Services:
  • docker-compose up --scale web=3

Environment Variables:

• Set Environment Variables:

services:
  app:
    image: myapp:latest
    environment:
      - DEBUG=true

Networking:

• Create Custom Networks:

networks:
  mynetwork:

• Connect Services to Networks:

services:
  app:
    networks:
      - mynetwork

Volumes:

• Mount Volumes:

services:
  db:
    volumes:
      - /path/on/host:/path/in/container

• Named Volumes:

services:
  app:
    volumes:
      - datavolume:/app/data
volumes:
  datavolume:

Docker Compose Commands:

• Specify Docker Compose File: docker-compose -f docker-compose.prod.yml up
• Build and Start Specific Service: docker-compose up -d web

Docker Compose Override:

• Use Override Files:
  • docker-compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.override.yml up

Interacting with Containers:

• Execute a Command in a Running Container:
  • docker-compose exec <service_name> <command>
• Open a Shell in a Running Container:
  • docker-compose exec <service_name> sh

Clean Up:

• Remove Stopped Containers:
  • docker-compose rm
• Remove Volumes:
  • docker-compose down -v

Healthchecks:

• Define Healthchecks:

services:
  web:
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD", "curl", "-f", "http://localhost"]
      interval: 1m
      timeout: 10s
      retries: 3

This cheat sheet covers fundamental Docker Compose commands and configurations. For more details, refer to the official Docker Compose documentation. Customize these commands based on your specific application requirements.