Docker for Girls - Understanding docker ps Once and For All

What is docker ps?#

This command shows all the containers on your computer. It tells you which ones are running, which ones are stopped, and what their settings are. Think of docker ps as your list of all containers—just like a list of open tabs in your browser. 🖥️

When Should You Use docker ps?#

You use docker ps when you want to:

• See which containers are currently running.
• Find out which containers have stopped.
• Get the ID or name of a container.
• Check which ports are open.
• View the size of a container.
• Check if a container is healthy (yes, containers can have bad days too!).

How to Use docker ps (Examples)#

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docker ps

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docker ps -a

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docker ps --latest

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docker ps -s

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docker ps -q

Filtering docker ps#

To quickly find the container you need, use filters:

🔍 Find a container with a specific label:

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docker ps --filter label=app=my-app

🔍 Show containers created before a specific one:

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docker ps --filter before=my-app-container

🔍 Find containers using a specific volume:

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docker ps --filter volume=my-volume

🔍 See containers in a specific network:

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docker ps --filter network=my-network

How to Change docker ps Output?#

By default, docker ps outputs a table, but you can customize what is displayed:

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docker ps --format 'table {{.ID}}\t{{.Image}}\t{{.Status}}'

This will show only the container ID, image, and status.

Want JSON format? Easy:

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docker ps --format json

Pro Tips!#

✨ Don’t forget about -a: If a container stops, docker ps won’t show it by default, so use docker ps -a.
✨ Set up your favorite commands: For convenience, create aliases for frequently used commands.
✨ Monitor container sizes: Keep only the necessary containers to avoid wasting disk space.

Conclusion#

The docker ps command is your go-to tool for managing containers. Now you know how to check which containers are running, which have stopped, and how to filter them. Easy, right? 😉

I hope this guide helped! If you have any questions, feel free to ask—I’m always happy to chat about Docker. 💻💖

See you soon, IT girl! 🚀

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Community of IT Experts#

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Is this content AI-generated?

Absolutely not! Every article is written by me, driven by a genuine passion for Docker and backed by decades of experience in IT. I do use AI tools to polish grammar and enhance clarity, but the ideas, strategies, and technical insights are entirely my own. While this might occasionally trigger AI detection tools, rest assured—the knowledge and experience behind the content are 100% real and personal.