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 http://stackoverflow.com/questions/20813486/docker-exploring-containers-file-system — thSoft, Dec 31 '14 at 13:13

Sebastian · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-01T10:58:53.903

31

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 01 '14 at 10:58

answered May 01 '14 at 10:31

Sebastian

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thanks, I get 'invalid option /bin/bash' so I am guessing that the creators of the image have disabled or removed bash? – Zuriar May 01 '14 at 10:47
How do I save my changes into a new reusable image without first exiting the running container? – Zuriar May 01 '14 at 16:38
open a new terminal and use `sudo docker commit ` – Sebastian May 01 '14 at 17:47
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Some images have both an ENTRYPOINT and CMD, try `docker run -it --entrypoint /bin/bash nginx -i` – Andrew Dec 17 '16 at 00:15

accessing a docker container's file system through terminal

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