Installing Docker

Learn to install Docker Engine on Linux, macOS and Windows.

Installing Docker

There are two ways to install Docker:

Linux: Docker Engine is installed directly. The official script is the fastest way; then add your user to the docker group to stop typing sudo for every command.
Windows and macOS: Docker Desktop is installed; it runs a lightweight Linux virtual machine inside.

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER     # takes effect after logging out and in

Verifying the installation

Two checks are done after installing: that the client and daemon respond (docker version) and that a container can really run (docker run hello-world). A "permission denied ... docker.sock" error shows the user isn't in the docker group.

$ docker ps
permission denied while trying to connect to the Docker daemon socket
$ sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
$ newgrp docker      # activates the group in this session

Exercise Installing on Linux

Write the command installing Docker with the official script, then the command adding the current user to the docker group.

Show example solution

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

Test yourself

How do Linux containers run on Windows and macOS?
- They don't run
- In a lightweight Linux virtual machine inside Docker Desktop
- Directly on the Windows kernel
- In the browser
Show answer

In a lightweight Linux virtual machine inside Docker Desktop — A container shares the host kernel; a Linux container needs a Linux kernel.

Add the user to the docker group.

sudo usermod -aG ____ $USER

Show answer

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

Match.

get.docker.com

Linux install script
Docker Desktop

Windows/macOS installation
docker grubu

No sudo needed
docker.sock

Daemon socket

Next lesson: docker version

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