Docker Compose
Define and run multi-container applications with Docker.
Overview
Docker Compose is a tool for defining and running multi-container Docker applications. With Compose, you use a YAML file to configure your application's services. Then, with a single command, you create and start all the services from your configuration. Docker Compose is great for development, testing, and staging environments, as well as CI workflows. It allows you to define a multi-service application in a single file, which can then be spun up in a single command.
✨ Key Features
- Define multi-container applications in a single YAML file
- Single command to start and stop the entire application stack
- Preserve volume data when containers are created
- Only recreate containers that have changed
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Simplicity and ease of use
- Tight integration with the Docker ecosystem
- Focus on local development and testing
Unique Value: Provides a simple and efficient way to manage multi-container applications for development and testing.
🎯 Use Cases (3)
✅ Best For
- Running a web application with a database and a caching service locally
- Setting up an integration testing environment in a CI/CD pipeline
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Managing multi-host, production-grade container orchestration (better suited for Kubernetes or Docker Swarm)
🏆 Alternatives
Much simpler to set up and use for local development compared to a full-blown orchestrator like Kubernetes.
💻 Platforms
✅ Offline Mode Available
🔌 Integrations
💰 Pricing
Free tier: Docker Compose is included with Docker Desktop and is free to use.
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