docker ps
Packages and runtimes
Usage
docker ps [-a] [--filter <f>]Lists only the containers running right now; one that exited straight after start is invisible until -a, which is where to look when docker run seems to have done nothing.
Common flags
| Flag | Meaning |
|---|---|
| -a | stopped containers too |
| -q | ids only, for piping |
| --filter status=exited | narrow by status, name, label and so on |
| --format "{{.Names}} {{.Status}}" | choose the columns |
| -n <n> | the n most recently created |
| -s | show the disk each one uses |
Examples
docker psthe containers running right now
docker ps -aalso the ones that exited, which is where a crash shows up
docker ps -q | xargs docker stopstops everything that is running
The question is always what goes where: inside this project, or on the whole machine.
How to read this
- Square brackets [ ] mark a part you may leave out.
- An ellipsis … means you can list more than one.
- Flags are case-sensitive — in some commands -r and -R do different things.
Questions
Q. What does docker ps do?
Lists only the containers running right now; one that exited straight after start is invisible until -a, which is where to look when docker run seems to have done nothing.
Q. How do I type it?
docker ps [-a] [--filter <f>] — square brackets mark the parts you can leave out.
Q. How many flags are worth knowing?
6 are listed here; the full set is in man docker. This command sits under Packages and runtimes.
Related commands
man page: man docker-ps