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 (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).
• 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

Daemon Must Be Running

• Docker Desktop (Mac/Windows): Ensure Docker Desktop app is running; docker CLI talks to its 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).

Additional Resources

• For detailed CLI and Dockerfile syntax, see reference.md.
• For full specs, fetch from the official reference and guides.