Docker Compose

Docker Compose is a tool for defining and running multi-container applications. It is the key to unlocking a streamlined and efficient development and deployment experience.

Compose simplifies the control of your entire application stack, making it easy to manage services, networks, and volumes in a single YAML configuration file. Then, with a single command, you create and start all the services from your configuration file.

Compose works in all environments - production, staging, development, testing, as well as CI workflows. It also has commands for managing the whole lifecycle of your application:

Start, stop, and rebuild services
View the status of running services
Stream the log output of running services
Run a one-off command on a service

Why use Compose?

Understand Docker Compose's key benefits

How Compose works

Understand how Compose works

Install Compose

Follow the instructions on how to install Docker Compose.

Quickstart

Learn the key concepts of Docker Compose whilst building a simple Python web application.

View the release notes

Find out about the latest enhancements and bug fixes.

Explore the Compose file reference

Find information on defining services, networks, and volumes for a Docker application.

Use Compose Bridge

Transform your Compose configuration file into configuration files for different platforms, such as Kubernetes.

Browse common FAQs

Explore general FAQs and find out how to give feedback.