Docker Compose Reference

Full API documentation for Docker Compose commands, configuration, and usage.

Core Commands

docker-compose up

Build, (re)create, start, and attach to containers for a service.

docker-compose up [-d] [SERVICE...]

⭐ Flag: -d runs in detached mode

docker-compose build

Build or rebuild service images.

docker-compose build [SERVICE...]

docker-compose logs

View output from containers.

docker-compose logs [SERVICE...]

🔄 Real-time tail with --follow

docker-compose down

Stop and remove containers, networks, etc.

docker-compose down [-v]

🗑 -v removes named volumes too

Compose File Configuration

Services

▸ image
Container image to use
▸ ports
Port mappings
▸ volumes
Mount storage locations
▸ depends_on
Dependency order
▸ environment
Env variables

Networks

▸ driver
Network driver (default: bridge)
▸ external
Use existing network
▸ name
Custom network name

Volumes

▸ type
Mount type (bind, volume, tmpfs)
▸ source
Path on the host
▸ target
Path in container
▸ read_only
Make read-only

Example: Multi-Service Setup


version: '3.8'
services:
  web:
    build: .
    ports:
      - "8000:5000"
    volumes:
      - data:/var/www
    environment:
      - DEBUG=1
networks:
  default:
    driver: bridge
volumes:
  data:

See More Examples →

Complete CLI Reference

Command	Description
docker-compose up	Start services
docker-compose ps	List running containers
docker-compose pause	Pause services
docker-compose images	List images

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