# Docker Logs

> Tail logs from Docker containers to check for errors and monitor application behavior; keywords: docker, error. Use only on explicit request; skip in routine implementation discussions.

- Skill: `gologo13/docker-logs` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add gologo13/docker-logs`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/gologo13/docker-logs/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: gologo13 (https://skillmd.com/u/gologo13)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/gologo13/docker-logs

---


# Docker Logs Tail

Tail logs from Docker containers to check for errors and monitor application behavior.

## Instructions

When user requests to check container logs:

1. **Discover running containers**: First, list all running containers to see what's available:

   ```bash
   docker ps --format "table {{.Names}}\t{{.Status}}\t{{.Image}}"
   ```

2. **Ask user which container(s)**: Present the list and ask which container(s) they want to monitor

3. **Use appropriate command**: Run `docker logs` with suitable flags based on their needs

## Common Commands

### List running containers

```bash
docker ps --format "table {{.Names}}\t{{.Status}}\t{{.Image}}"
```

### Tail logs for a specific container

```bash
docker logs -f <container_name>
```

### Tail logs with timestamps

```bash
docker logs -f --timestamps <container_name>
```

### Tail last N lines

```bash
docker logs -f --tail 100 <container_name>
```

### Check logs since specific time

```bash
docker logs -f --since 5m <container_name>
```

### View logs from all containers (with docker compose)

```bash
docker compose logs -f
```

### View logs from specific services

```bash
docker compose logs -f <service1> <service2>
```

### Filter for errors

```bash
docker logs <container_name> 2>&1 | grep -i error
```

## Usage Flow

1. Run `docker ps` to discover available containers
2. Present the container list to the user
3. Ask which container(s) they want to tail
4. Ask if they want any filters (errors only, last N lines, since time, etc.)
5. Execute the appropriate `docker logs` command