Guide · Open source
How to use lazydocker: install, navigate and manage Docker
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
lazydocker is a terminal user interface (TUI) that puts docker and docker-compose into one screen, so you can see your containers, images and services and act on them from the keyboard. This guide is for developers who run Docker locally and prefer the terminal. After reading it you will know the prerequisites, how to get lazydocker onto your machine, and what you can do once it is running.
lazydockerjesseduffield/lazydocker · ★ 53.2k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Install Docker. Make sure Docker is installed and working on your machine. If you use compose projects, install docker-compose as well.
- 2Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/jesseduffield/lazydocker to get the source code.
- 3Follow the install instructions. Use the project's README to complete installation with your package manager.
- 4Start lazydocker. Run lazydocker from your terminal to open the interface.
- 5Browse containers and services. Use the keyboard to view containers, images and services in the single screen.
- 6Check logs and act on state. Read container logs and take action on containers or services without typing each Docker command.
What lazydocker does
lazydocker is a simple terminal UI for both docker and docker-compose. It wraps those two tools so you can view and manage containers, images and services without typing every command.
It is written in Go using the gocui library. People use it to see what is running and act on it quickly, and to get a quick overview of container state and logs in one place.
- Works with docker and docker-compose
- Runs entirely in the terminal, with no graphical desktop app
- Manages only Docker and docker-compose, nothing else
Prerequisites: what you need before installing
lazydocker needs Docker installed. If you use compose projects, you also need docker-compose. It only manages those tools, so if you do not use Docker, it will not be useful to you.
- Docker
- docker-compose (only if you use compose projects)
Install lazydocker and get the source
The project's install method is a package manager. The README's install command shown in the source is to clone the repository from GitHub. Clone it with the command below, then follow the install instructions in the repository.
Check the project's README for the package-manager commands for your system, since the source provided for this guide only includes the clone step.
git clone https://github.com/jesseduffield/lazydockerStart lazydocker and navigate the screen
Once lazydocker is installed, run it from your terminal. The interface shows your Docker containers, images and services in one view, and you move around it with the keyboard.
The README includes a demo GIF and a video showing the interface in use. Those are the best reference for the exact panels and key bindings, which this guide does not list.
- View running containers and their state
- See container logs in the same screen
- Act on containers and services from the keyboard
Common uses for lazydocker
lazydocker suits day-to-day local work where you need to check on several containers or compose services quickly. Because it stays in the terminal, it fits alongside the shell you already use.
- Check which containers are running and which have stopped
- Read logs from a service without switching windows
- Restart or stop a compose service while you keep coding
- Get a quick overview of several local containers at once
Alternatives and when to pick something else
lazydocker is a local, terminal-only tool. The project's comparable tools include lazygit, Portainer, ctop and Dry. If you need a graphical dashboard or a hosted, multi-user interface, lazydocker is not designed for that, and a tool like Portainer may fit better.
- lazygit: a terminal UI for git, not Docker
- Portainer: a web-based management interface
- ctop: a tool for container metrics
- Dry: a tool for managing Docker containers
What people use it for
- Checking which local containers are running after starting a project
- Reading logs from a compose service while developing
- Restarting a stopped service from the keyboard
- Getting a single-screen overview of several local containers
Frequently asked questions
Is lazydocker free?
Yes. lazydocker is released under the MIT licence, which is a permissive open-source licence. The source is hosted on GitHub.
What are the requirements for lazydocker?
You need Docker installed. If you use compose projects, you also need docker-compose. lazydocker only manages Docker and docker-compose.
How do I install lazydocker?
The project's install method is a package manager. The source shown here includes a git clone command, git clone https://github.com/jesseduffield/lazydocker, so check the README for your package-manager steps.
Does lazydocker work with docker-compose?
Yes. It is a terminal UI for both docker and docker-compose, so it can manage compose services as well as plain containers.
What is the difference between lazydocker and Portainer?
lazydocker runs entirely in the terminal and manages a local Docker setup. Portainer is a web-based management interface, which suits teams that want a hosted dashboard.
Can I use lazydocker without Docker?
No. lazydocker only manages docker and docker-compose, so it is not useful if you do not use those tools.
New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week
The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.
Our verdict
lazydocker suits developers who run several local Docker containers or compose services and want to manage them from the terminal. If you do not use Docker, need a graphical desktop app, or want a hosted multi-user dashboard, pick a different tool such as Portainer.
Install options & downloads