Docker — Install and Use Containers

Enables OpenClaw (and Cursor) to install Docker and use it reliably. Base all guidance on official Docker docs; when in doubt, fetch from canonical URLs below.

When to Apply

• User wants to install Docker (macOS, Linux, Windows)
• User asks about containers, images, Dockerfile, docker compose
• Building, running, or debugging Docker commands or workflows
• User asks for "latest Docker docs" or "how do I use Docker"

Canonical Documentation URLs

Installation

Install Docker on the host so the docker CLI and daemon are available. After install, ensure the daemon is running (docker run hello-world).

Installation (reliable paths)

macOS

Recommended: Docker Desktop

• Download from official docs: Install Docker Desktop on Mac.
• Apple Silicon: https://desktop.docker.com/mac/main/arm64/Docker.dmg
• Intel: https://desktop.docker.com/mac/main/amd64/Docker.dmg
• Open Docker.dmg, drag Docker to Applications, then open Docker.app and accept terms.
• CLI install (optional): After downloading the DMG:

sudo hdiutil attach Docker.dmg
   sudo /Volumes/Docker/Docker.app/Contents/MacOS/install
   sudo hdiutil detach /Volumes/Docker

• Verify: docker run hello-world

Linux (Ubuntu example)

• Prefer Docker Engine from apt (see Install Docker Engine on Ubuntu).
• Remove conflicting packages first:

sudo apt remove $(dpkg --get-selections docker.io docker-compose docker-compose-v2 docker-doc podman-docker containerd runc 2>/dev/null | cut -f1)

• Add Docker’s apt repo, then:

sudo apt update
   sudo apt install -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin
   sudo systemctl start docker
   sudo docker run hello-world

• Optional (run without sudo): Linux postinstall — add user to docker group.

Windows

Use Get Docker and follow Docker Desktop for Windows (WSL2 backend recommended).

Core Workflow: Build and Run

• Dockerfile in app directory (see reference.md or Dockerfile reference). If any path in COPY has spaces, quote it (e.g. COPY . "/app/Docker Skill").
• Build image: docker build -t .
• Run container: docker run -d -p HOST_PORT:CONTAINER_PORT (e.g. -p 127.0.0.1:3000:3000).
• List containers: docker ps (running), docker ps -a (all).
• Stop/remove: docker stop , docker rm .

docker build -t getting-started .
docker run -d -p 127.0.0.1:3000:3000 getting-started
# Open http://localhost:3000

Usage examples

• Run a one-off command and remove the container:

docker run --rm alpine echo "Hello from Alpine"

• Create, run, then stop and remove a named container:

docker run --name my-test alpine echo "test"
  docker stop my-test
  docker rm my-test

• Pull an image, run a minimal container, then remove container and image:

docker run --name hello hello-world
  docker rm hello
  docker rmi hello-world

• Build and run a web app (port mapping):

docker build -t myapp .
  docker run -d -p 127.0.0.1:3000:3000 myapp
  docker ps
  docker stop <container_id>
  docker rm <container_id>

• Compose (multi-service):

docker compose up -d
  docker compose logs -f
  docker compose down

Daemon Must Be Running

• Docker Desktop (Mac/Windows): Ensure Docker Desktop app is running; docker CLI talks to its daemon.
• Colima (macOS): If using Colima instead of Docker Desktop, set DOCKER_HOST (e.g. unix://$HOME/.colima/default/docker.sock) so the CLI and scripts find the daemon.
• Linux: sudo systemctl start docker (and enable if needed).
• If the user sees "Cannot connect to the Docker daemon", direct them to start Docker Desktop or the engine service and try again.

Quick Reference

• Images: docker pull , docker images, docker rmi
• Containers: docker run, docker ps, docker stop, docker rm, docker logs
• Compose: docker compose up -d, docker compose down — use compose.yaml in project root (see Compose file reference).
• Cleanup: docker system prune -a (removes unused images/containers/networks; use with care).

Volume mounts

When using -v HOST:CONTAINER, use stable host paths (e.g. a directory under the project or skill root). Avoid temporary directories (e.g. from mktemp); they may not mount reliably in some environments (sandboxes, CI, remote Docker). See LEARNINGS.md.

Additional Resources

• For detailed CLI and Dockerfile syntax, see reference.md.
• For full specs, fetch from the official reference and guides.
• For volume-mount and environment learnings, see LEARNINGS.md.