---
title: Python
description: Migrate a Python application to Docker Hardened Images
weight: 20
keywords: python, migration, dhi
---

This example shows how to migrate a Python application to Docker Hardened Images.

The following examples show Dockerfiles before and after migration to Docker
Hardened Images. Each example includes five variations:

- Before (Ubuntu): A sample Dockerfile using Ubuntu-based images, before migrating to DHI
- Before (Wolfi): A sample Dockerfile using Wolfi distribution images, before migrating to DHI
- Before (DOI): A sample Dockerfile using Docker Official Images, before migrating to DHI
- After (multi-stage): A sample Dockerfile after migrating to DHI with multi-stage builds (recommended for minimal, secure images)
- After (single-stage): A sample Dockerfile after migrating to DHI with single-stage builds (simpler but results in a larger image with a broader attack surface)

> [!NOTE]
>
> Multi-stage builds are recommended for most use cases. Single-stage builds are
> supported for simplicity, but come with tradeoffs in size and security.
>
> You must authenticate to `dhi.io` before you can pull Docker Hardened Images.
> Run `docker login dhi.io` to authenticate.

{{< tabs >}}
{{< tab name="Before (Ubuntu)" >}}

```dockerfile
#syntax=docker/dockerfile:1

FROM ubuntu/python:3.13-24.04_stable AS builder

ENV LANG=C.UTF-8
ENV PYTHONDONTWRITEBYTECODE=1
ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ENV PATH="/app/venv/bin:$PATH"

WORKDIR /app

RUN python -m venv /app/venv
COPY requirements.txt .

RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt

FROM ubuntu/python:3.13-24.04_stable

WORKDIR /app

ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ENV PATH="/app/venv/bin:$PATH"

COPY app.py ./
COPY --from=builder /app/venv /app/venv

ENTRYPOINT [ "python", "/app/app.py" ]
```

{{< /tab >}}
{{< tab name="Before (Wolfi)" >}}

```dockerfile
#syntax=docker/dockerfile:1

FROM cgr.dev/chainguard/python:latest-dev AS builder

ENV LANG=C.UTF-8
ENV PYTHONDONTWRITEBYTECODE=1
ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ENV PATH="/app/venv/bin:$PATH"

WORKDIR /app

RUN python -m venv /app/venv
COPY requirements.txt .

# Install any additional packages if needed using apk
# RUN apk add --no-cache gcc musl-dev

RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt

FROM cgr.dev/chainguard/python:latest

WORKDIR /app

ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ENV PATH="/app/venv/bin:$PATH"

COPY app.py ./
COPY --from=builder /app/venv /app/venv

ENTRYPOINT [ "python", "/app/app.py" ]
```

{{< /tab >}}
{{< tab name="Before (DOI)" >}}

```dockerfile
#syntax=docker/dockerfile:1

FROM python:latest AS builder

ENV LANG=C.UTF-8
ENV PYTHONDONTWRITEBYTECODE=1
ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ENV PATH="/app/venv/bin:$PATH"

WORKDIR /app

RUN python -m venv /app/venv
COPY requirements.txt .

# Install any additional packages if needed using apt
# RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y gcc && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*

RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt

FROM python:latest

WORKDIR /app

ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ENV PATH="/app/venv/bin:$PATH"

COPY app.py ./
COPY --from=builder /app/venv /app/venv

ENTRYPOINT [ "python", "/app/app.py" ]
```

{{< /tab >}}
{{< tab name="After (multi-stage)" >}}

```dockerfile
#syntax=docker/dockerfile:1

# === Build stage: Install dependencies and create virtual environment ===
FROM dhi.io/python:3.13-alpine3.21-dev AS builder

ENV LANG=C.UTF-8
ENV PYTHONDONTWRITEBYTECODE=1
ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ENV PATH="/app/venv/bin:$PATH"

WORKDIR /app

RUN python -m venv /app/venv
COPY requirements.txt .

# Install any additional packages if needed using apk
# RUN apk add --no-cache gcc musl-dev

RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt

# === Final stage: Create minimal runtime image ===
FROM dhi.io/python:3.13-alpine3.21

WORKDIR /app

ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ENV PATH="/app/venv/bin:$PATH"

COPY app.py ./
COPY --from=builder /app/venv /app/venv

ENTRYPOINT [ "python", "/app/app.py" ]
```

{{< /tab >}}
{{< tab name="After (single-stage)" >}}

```dockerfile
#syntax=docker/dockerfile:1

FROM dhi.io/python:3.13-alpine3.21-dev

ENV LANG=C.UTF-8
ENV PYTHONDONTWRITEBYTECODE=1
ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ENV PATH="/app/venv/bin:$PATH"

WORKDIR /app

RUN python -m venv /app/venv
COPY requirements.txt .

# Install any additional packages if needed using apk
# RUN apk add --no-cache gcc musl-dev

RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt

COPY app.py ./

ENTRYPOINT [ "python", "/app/app.py" ]
```

{{< /tab >}}
{{< /tabs >}}
