Images

Image is a standalone executable package which contains all necessary to run the application.

Dockerfile

Dockerfile is a “set of rules” to create and run image … to dockerize an app.

Example:

FROM node:22.14.0-alpine3.21
WORKDIR /app
COPY ./app
RUN npm install
EXPOSE 3000
CMD ["npm", "start"]

List local images: docker images

Build docker file: docker build -t <name> .

Remove image: docker rmi <image_id | image_name > 

Containers

Container is the running instance of the image.
Container is always running the same independently on the host environment… it’s isolated.

Run image (and create container): docker run -p host_port:container_port <image_name or id>

List running containers:docker ps
List all containers (incl. exited):docker ps -a

Remove stopped container: docker rm <container_name or id>

Start | stop container: docker start | stop  <container_name or id>

View resource usage: docker container stats

Useful Links

VS Code + Node.js in a container