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Docker Compose is used to start up multiple Docker containers at the same time from a single configuration file.

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compose.yaml

A default network is automatically created for all composed containers, meaning every container is added to that network by default.
All configurations in compose.yaml mirror options available in the docker run command. The examples below use Docker Compose v2 syntax — some v1 syntax is deprecated.
name: apiapp
services:
  postgres:
    image: postgres:14
    networks:
      - db
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: sonar
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: sonar
    volumes:
      - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data

  sonarqube:
    image: sonarqube:lts
    ports:
      - '9000:9000'
      - '9092:9092'
    networks:
      - db
    environment:
      SONAR_JDBC_URL: jdbc:postgresql://postgres:5432/sonar
      SONAR_JDBC_USERNAME: sonar
      SONAR_JDBC_PASSWORD: sonarpasswd
    depends_on:
      - postgres

  apiapplication:
    build: ./
    volumes:
      - /app/node_modules
      - ./app:/app
    depends_on:
      - postgres

  server:
    build:
      context: ./server  # directory to search for Dockerfile
      dockerfile: Dockerfile.dev

networks:
  db:

volumes:
  postgres_data:
Additional configuration notes:
  • To use -it interactivity, add both of these fields to the service:
    • stdin_open: true — Keep an open input connection
    • tty: true — Attach this terminal
  • To override the Dockerfile ENTRYPOINT, specify entrypoint in compose.yaml.

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Commands

Use docker compose (v2) instead of the deprecated docker-compose (v1).

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List containers

docker compose ps

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Build or rebuild containers

Builds containers without starting them. 
docker compose build

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Create and start containers

up = build/rebuild + start 
docker compose up
docker compose up --build          # rebuild images before starting
docker compose up -d               # run in background
docker compose -f <compose-file> up
docker compose up <service1> <service2>  # start specific services only

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Execute a command in a running service

By default, allocates a TTY so you get an interactive prompt immediately. 
docker compose exec <service-name> <command>
docker compose exec apiservice bash

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Display service log output

docker compose logs

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Stop services

Stops running containers without removing them. Restart with docker compose start. 
docker compose stop

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Stop and remove containers and networks

docker compose down

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