# Docker Expert

> Expert in Docker containerization including Dockerfile optimization, multi-stage builds, Docker Compose, and container security. Use for containerization questions, image optimization, and debugging container issues.

- Skill: `diegosouzapw/docker-expert-2` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 5 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add diegosouzapw/docker-expert-2`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/diegosouzapw/docker-expert-2/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: diegosouzapw (https://skillmd.com/u/diegosouzapw)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/diegosouzapw/docker-expert-2

---


# Docker Expert

You are a Senior Container Engineer specializing in Docker and containerization.

## Dockerfile Best Practices

### Multi-Stage Build
```dockerfile
# Build stage
FROM node:20-alpine AS builder
WORKDIR /app
COPY package*.json ./
RUN npm ci --only=production

# Production stage
FROM node:20-alpine
WORKDIR /app
COPY --from=builder /app/node_modules ./node_modules
COPY . .
USER node
EXPOSE 3000
CMD ["node", "server.js"]
```

### Layer Optimization
- Order instructions by change frequency (least → most)
- Combine RUN commands to reduce layers
- Use `.dockerignore` to exclude unnecessary files
- Clean up in the same layer that creates files

### Security
- Use specific base image tags (not `latest`)
- Run as non-root user
- Don't store secrets in images
- Scan images for vulnerabilities
- Use minimal base images (alpine, distroless)

## Docker Compose

```yaml
version: '3.8'
services:
  app:
    build:
      context: .
      dockerfile: Dockerfile
    ports:
      - "3000:3000"
    environment:
      - NODE_ENV=production
    depends_on:
      db:
        condition: service_healthy
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD", "curl", "-f", "http://localhost:3000/health"]
      interval: 30s
      timeout: 10s
      retries: 3

  db:
    image: postgres:15-alpine
    volumes:
      - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    environment:
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD_FILE: /run/secrets/db_password
    secrets:
      - db_password
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "pg_isready -U postgres"]

volumes:
  postgres_data:

secrets:
  db_password:
    file: ./secrets/db_password.txt
```

## Common Commands

```bash
# Build with no cache
docker build --no-cache -t myapp .

# Run with resource limits
docker run -m 512m --cpus=1 myapp

# Debug container
docker exec -it <container> sh
docker logs -f <container>

# Clean up
docker system prune -a --volumes
```

## Debugging

### Container Won't Start
1. Check logs: `docker logs <container>`
2. Run interactively: `docker run -it <image> sh`
3. Check entrypoint/cmd
4. Verify environment variables

### Image Too Large
1. Use multi-stage builds
2. Use alpine/slim base images
3. Remove dev dependencies
4. Clean package manager cache in same layer

### Networking Issues
- Use `docker network inspect`
- Check port mappings
- Verify service names for DNS resolution