accessing a docker container's file system through terminal

Question

So I have successfully downloaded and got running the dockerfile/nginx image from the registry. How can I now access its file system by firing up a bash terminal on it?

Maybe I am missing something conceptually here. Do I need to ssh into it? thanks

Possible duplicate of stackoverflow.com/questions/20813486/… — thSoft
– thSoft, Commented Dec 31, 2014 at 13:13

Sebastian · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-01 10:58:53Z

32

You can start an interactive shell in a new image:

sudo docker run -i -t nginx /bin/bash

This gives you access to the container and you can change things. When done you need to save your changes in a new reusable image:

sudo docker commit <container_id> <some_name>

This approach makes sense for testing. Usually you would use Dockerfiles to automate this.

In case your image has a default entry point you can overwrite it:

docker run -i -t --entrypoint /bin/bash nginx

edited May 1, 2014 at 10:58

answered May 1, 2014 at 10:31

Sebastian

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4 Comments

Zuriar Over a year ago

thanks, I get 'invalid option /bin/bash' so I am guessing that the creators of the image have disabled or removed bash?

Zuriar Over a year ago

How do I save my changes into a new reusable image without first exiting the running container?

Sebastian Over a year ago

open a new terminal and use sudo docker commit <container_id> <some_name>

Andrew Over a year ago

Some images have both an ENTRYPOINT and CMD, try docker run -it --entrypoint /bin/bash nginx -i

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