Related

View Logs

docker

Fetch logs from a container’s stdout and stderr.

Inspect Container

docker

Return low-level JSON details of Docker objects (containers, images, networks, volumes).

Container Processes

docker

Display running processes inside a container.

docker/exec

Execute Command

Run a command in a running container.

container
debugging

Command

docker exec

Explanation

docker exec allows direct command execution in containers. It’s useful for debugging or administration. The -it flags open an interactive terminal. Without them, the command runs non-interactively.

Common Use Cases

  • •Debug running containers
  • •Inspect file systems or logs inside containers
  • •Run administrative or maintenance tasks

Best Practices

  • ✓Always use -it for shells
  • ✓Limit exec to debugging or emergency access

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ⚠Running exec on stopped containers
  • ⚠Omitting -it and losing terminal interactivity

Troubleshooting

Problem: Command fails with 'container not found'

Solution: Ensure container is running (check with docker ps).

Examples

Start interactive bash session

docker exec -it my_container bash

Run command in container

docker exec my_container ls /app

More

Stop Container

docker

Stop one or more running containers gracefully.

List Containers

docker

List running or all containers.

Run Container

docker

Create and start a new Docker container from an image, with options for interactive mode, port mapping, volume mounting, and environment configuration.