How to View Docker Files After Creation?

Описание: Discover how to effectively view and debug your Docker containers to ensure all files are correctly placed.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/64264335/ asked by the user 'Boom' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/8523137/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/64264551/ provided by the user 'code-gorilla' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/14388607/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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How to View Docker Files After Creation?

In the world of containerization, Docker has revolutionized how we develop, ship, and run applications. However, after creating a Docker container, you might find yourself facing a common issue: where did all my files go? Whether they were not copied correctly or misplaced, knowing how to view your Docker container’s filesystem is essential for debugging and ensuring your applications run smoothly.

In this guide, we will delve into how you can access and explore your Docker container's files after creation. We will cover the necessary commands and steps to efficiently manage your Docker filesystem in a Linux environment.

Accessing Your Docker Container

Once you've created a Docker container, here’s how to view the files and folders inside it.

Step 1: Verify That Your Container is Running

Before you proceed, it is crucial to check whether your container is currently running. You can do this by executing the following command in your terminal:

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This command displays a list of all currently running containers. If you don’t see your container listed, you’ll need to troubleshoot why it’s not running.

Step 2: Logging Into Your Container

To access the filesystem within a running container, you can log into it using the docker exec command. Here’s how:

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Replace <name of your container> with the actual name of your container.

This command opens a shell inside the container, allowing you to navigate its filesystem.

Alternative for Non-Running Containers

If your container does not start up correctly due to missing files, you have the option to run it interactively with a shell. This is done using the following command:

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Replace <your image> with the name of the image you used to create the container.

Access Shell Variants

Sometimes, depending on your Docker image, you might have bash instead of sh. If that's the case, you can access your container's shell with:

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or:

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This provides a more robust shell experience with additional functionalities.

Navigating Inside the Container

Once you’re logged into your container, you can use familiar Linux commands to navigate and inspect files. Here are a few commands to get you started:

ls - Lists the files and folders in the current directory.

cd <directory> - Changes the directory to the specified one.

Feel free to explore the filesystem to find the files you believe should be present.

Conclusion

In summary, viewing files within your Docker container is a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. By verifying that your container is running, properly logging in, and using Linux navigation commands, you can access your files and address any issues related to missing files.

Remember that debugging a container’s filesystem can save you from the hassle of extensive issues during application runtime. Happy Dockerizing!