CheatSheetsCheatSheets

Docker Multi-Stage Builds

Compile in a fat image, ship a tiny runtime image.

  • multi-stage
  • slim image
  • COPY from
  • build target
  • small docker image

Docker Multi-Stage Builds

Compile in a fat image, ship a tiny runtime image.

Commands

CommandWhat it does
FROM node:22 AS buildFirst stage: full toolchain
RUN npm ci && npm run buildCompile inside the build stage
FROM node:22-alpine AS prodSecond stage: minimal runtime
COPY --from=build /app/dist ./distCopy only build output
docker build --target build -t app:debug .Build just the debug stage

Example

FROM node:22 AS build
WORKDIR /app
COPY . .
RUN npm ci && npm run build
FROM node:22-alpine AS prod
WORKDIR /app
COPY --from=build /app/dist ./dist
CMD ["node", "dist/server.js"]

FAQ

How much smaller do images get?

Typically 5-10x: toolchains and caches stay in the build stage, only dist plus prod deps ship.

Can stages share files?

Yes via COPY --from=<stage>; stages can also inherit (FROM base AS ...) to share setup steps.

FAQ

How much smaller do images get?
Typically 5-10x: toolchains and caches stay in the build stage, only dist plus prod deps ship.
Can stages share files?
Yes via COPY --from=<stage>; stages can also inherit (FROM base AS ...) to share setup steps.

Docker

Docker Install and Setup
Verify the Docker engine, configure context, and check versions.
Docker Images
Pull, list, tag, inspect, and remove images confidently.
Docker Containers
Run, list, stop, and clean up containers in daily work.
Docker Run Options
The flags that matter: detach, ports, env, volumes, limits.