title |
description |
notoc |
Reference documentation |
This section includes the reference documentation for the Docker platform’s various APIs, CLIs, and file formats. |
true |
This section includes the reference documentation for the Docker platform's
various APIs, CLIs, and file formats.
File formats
File format |
Description |
Dockerfile |
Defines the contents and startup behavior of a single container |
Compose file |
Defines a multi-container application |
Command-line interfaces (CLIs)
CLI |
Description |
Docker CLI |
The main CLI for Docker, includes all docker commands |
Compose CLI |
The CLI for Docker Compose, which allows you to build and run multi-container applications |
Daemon CLI (dockerd) |
Persistent process that manages containers |
Application programming interfaces (APIs)
API |
Description |
Engine API |
The main API for Docker, provides programmatic access to a daemon |
Registry API |
Facilitates distribution of images to the engine |
Drivers and specifications