Run a Container¶

When to Use This Guide¶

Use this guide when you want to start a container from an image, whether it is an official image like nginx or one you built yourself.

docker run -d -p 8080:80 --name web nginx

Step 1: Run the Container¶

Start a container in the background and map a port.

docker run -d -p 8080:80 --name web nginx

• -d runs it in the background
• -p 8080:80 maps host port 8080 to container port 80
• --name web names it for easy reference

Step 2: Confirm It Is Running¶

docker ps

You should see web listed with a status of Up.

Step 3: Access It¶

curl http://localhost:8080

Or open http://localhost:8080 in a browser.

Common Issues¶

Port is already allocated

Use a different host port.

docker run -d -p 8081:80 --name web nginx

Name is already in use

Remove the old container first.

docker rm -f web

Related Guides¶

• Stop and Remove Containers
• View Container Logs