first version of the knowledge base :)

70 - Tools/docker/docker.md

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+---
+title: Docker
+description: Tool overview for Docker as a container runtime and packaging platform
+tags:
+  - docker
+  - containers
+  - infrastructure
+category: tools
+created: 2026-03-14
+updated: 2026-03-14
+---
+
+# Docker
+
+## Summary
+
+Docker is a container platform used to package and run applications with their dependencies in isolated environments. In self-hosted systems, it is often the default runtime for lightweight service deployment and reproducible application stacks.
+
+## Why it matters
+
+Docker reduces packaging inconsistency and makes service deployment more repeatable than hand-built application installs. It also provides a practical base for Compose-managed stacks in small to medium self-hosted environments.
+
+## Core concepts
+
+- Images and containers
+- Registries as image distribution points
+- Volumes for persistent data
+- Networks for service connectivity
+- Compose for multi-service application definitions
+
+## Practical usage
+
+Docker commonly fits into infrastructure as:
+
+```text
+Image registry -> Docker host -> containerized services -> reverse proxy or internal clients
+```
+
+Typical uses:
+
+- Hosting web apps, dashboards, automation tools, and utility services
+- Running small multi-container stacks with Compose
+- Keeping application deployment separate from the base OS lifecycle
+
+## Best practices
+
+- Pin images intentionally and update them through a reviewed process
+- Use named volumes or clearly documented bind mounts for state
+- Put multi-service stacks under Compose and version control
+- Keep ingress and persistence boundaries explicit
+
+## Pitfalls
+
+- Treating containers as ephemeral while silently storing irreplaceable state inside them
+- Publishing too many host ports directly
+- Using `latest` everywhere without a maintenance workflow
+- Running every unrelated workload inside one large Compose project
+
+## References
+
+- [Docker: Docker overview](https://docs.docker.com/get-started/docker-overview/)
+- [Docker: Networking overview](https://docs.docker.com/engine/network/)
+- [Docker: Volumes](https://docs.docker.com/engine/storage/volumes/)
+- [Compose Specification](https://compose-spec.io/)