Here’s a complete tutorial on docker create, including its purpose, how it differs from docker run, and a comprehensive list of examples.
What is docker create?
docker create is used to create a new container from a specified image without starting it immediately. This command is useful when you want to configure or inspect a container before running it.
Key Features:
- Only creates the container; does not run it.
- Useful for preparing containers with custom configurations.
- Returns the container ID after creation.
- Works with the same options as
docker run.
Basic Syntax
docker create [OPTIONS] IMAGE [COMMAND] [ARG...]
Code language: CSS (css)Common Options:
--name: Assign a custom name to the container.-p: Map ports from the container to the host.-v: Mount a volume or bind a host directory.-e: Set environment variables.--restart: Define the container’s restart policy.-it: Allocate a pseudo-TTY and keep STDIN open (interactive mode).
Examples of docker create
1. Create a Simple Container
docker create ubuntu
This creates a container from the ubuntu image without running it.
2. Create a Container with a Custom Name
docker create --name my_ubuntu_container ubuntu
This creates a container named my_ubuntu_container.
3. Create a Container with Port Mapping
docker create -p 8080:80 nginx
Code language: CSS (css)This creates a container with port 8080 on the host mapped to port 80 in the container.
4. Create a Container with Environment Variables
docker create -e APP_ENV=production -e DEBUG=false my_app
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)This creates a container with two environment variables: APP_ENV=production and DEBUG=false.
5. Create a Container with a Volume
docker create -v /host/data:/container/data my_app
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)This mounts the host directory /host/data to /container/data in the container.
6. Create a Container with Restart Policy
docker create --restart always redis
This creates a redis container with a restart policy set to always, meaning it will restart automatically if it stops.
7. Create a Detached Interactive Container
docker create -it ubuntu
The container is created in interactive mode but remains stopped until started.
8. Create a Container with a Specific Command
docker create ubuntu echo "Hello, Docker!"
Code language: PHP (php)The container is configured to run echo "Hello, Docker!" when started.
9. Create a Container with Network Settings
docker create --network my_custom_network nginx
This creates a container attached to the my_custom_network network.
10. Create a Container with a Hostname
docker create --hostname my_custom_host alpine
This creates an alpine container with a custom hostname my_custom_host.
Starting a Container Created with docker create
Once a container is created with docker create, you can start it with:
docker start CONTAINER_ID
For example:
docker start my_ubuntu_container
Inspecting a Created Container
You can inspect the configuration of a created container using:
docker inspect CONTAINER_ID
Difference Between docker create and docker run
docker create | docker run |
|---|---|
| Only creates the container | Creates and starts the container |
| Returns the container ID | Returns the container’s output |
| Used for pre-configuration | Used for running containers |
Requires docker start to run it | No need to start it manually |
List of Common docker create Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
docker create ubuntu | Create a simple Ubuntu container |
docker create --name my_app nginx | Create an NGINX container with a custom name |
docker create -p 8080:80 nginx | Create a container with port mapping |
docker create -e KEY=value alpine | Create a container with environment variables |
docker create -v /host:/container busybox | Create a container with a volume |
docker create --restart always redis | Create a container with a restart policy |
docker create --network custom_net alpine | Create a container on a custom network |
docker create ubuntu echo "Hello, world!" | Create a container with a specific command |
Best Practices for Using docker create:
- Pre-configure containers with volumes, environment variables, and restart policies before starting them.
- Use
docker inspectto review container settings before running it. - Use custom names (
--name) for easier container management. - Combine with
docker startanddocker execfor full control.
Common Errors and Solutions
- “Error: No such image”
→ Ensure the image exists or pull it usingdocker pull. - “Duplicate container name”
→ Use a different name or remove the existing container with the same name:docker rm existing_container_name - Container does not start after creation
→ Usedocker startto run it:docker start CONTAINER_ID
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