---
title: Writing a Dockerfile
keywords: concepts, build, images, container, docker desktop
description: This concept page will teach you how to create image using Dockerfile.
summary: |
  Mastering Dockerfile practices is vital for leveraging container technology
  effectively, enhancing application reliability and supporting DevOps and
  CI/CD methodologies. In this guide, you’ll learn how to write a Dockerfile,
  how to define a base image and setup instructions, including software
  installation and copying necessary files.
weight: 2
aliases: 
 - /guides/docker-concepts/building-images/writing-a-dockerfile/
---

{{< youtube-embed Jx8zoIhiP4c >}}

## Explanation

A Dockerfile is a text-based document that's used to create a container image. It provides instructions to the image builder on the commands to run, files to copy, startup command, and more.

As an example, the following Dockerfile would produce a ready-to-run Python application:

```dockerfile
FROM python:3.13
WORKDIR /usr/local/app

# Install the application dependencies
COPY requirements.txt ./
RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt

# Copy in the source code
COPY src ./src
EXPOSE 8080

# Setup an app user so the container doesn't run as the root user
RUN useradd app
USER app

CMD ["uvicorn", "app.main:app", "--host", "0.0.0.0", "--port", "8080"]
```

### Common instructions

Some of the most common instructions in a `Dockerfile` include:

- `FROM <image>` - this specifies the base image that the build will extend.
- `WORKDIR <path>` - this instruction specifies the "working directory" or the path in the image where files will be copied and commands will be executed.
- `COPY <host-path> <image-path>` - this instruction tells the builder to copy files from the host and put them into the container image.
- `RUN <command>` - this instruction tells the builder to run the specified command.
- `ENV <name> <value>` - this instruction sets an environment variable that a running container will use.
- `EXPOSE <port-number>` - this instruction sets configuration on the image that indicates a port the image would like to expose.
- `USER <user-or-uid>` - this instruction sets the default user for all subsequent instructions.
- `CMD ["<command>", "<arg1>"]` - this instruction sets the default command a container using this image will run.


To read through all of the instructions or go into greater detail, check out the [Dockerfile reference](https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/builder/).

## Try it out

Just as you saw with the previous example, a Dockerfile typically follows these steps:

1. Determine your base image
2. Install application dependencies
3. Copy in any relevant source code and/or binaries
4. Configure the final image

In this quick hands-on guide, you'll write a Dockerfile that builds a simple Node.js application. If you're not familiar with JavaScript-based applications, don't worry. It isn't necessary for following along with this guide.

### Set up

[Download this ZIP file](https://github.com/docker/getting-started-todo-app/archive/refs/heads/build-image-from-scratch.zip) and extract the contents into a directory on your machine.

If you'd rather not download a ZIP file, clone the https://github.com/docker/getting-started-todo-app project and checkout the `build-image-from-scratch` branch.

### Creating the Dockerfile

Now that you have the project, you’re ready to create the `Dockerfile`.

1. [Download and install](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/) Docker Desktop.

2. Examine the project.

   Explore the contents of `getting-started-todo-app/app/`. You'll notice that a
   `Dockerfile` already exists. It is a simple text file that you can open in
   any text or code editor.

3. Delete the existing `Dockerfile`.

   For this exercise, you'll pretend you're starting from scratch and will
   create a new `Dockerfile`.

4. Create a file named `Dockerfile` in the `getting-started-todo-app/app/` folder.

    > **Dockerfile file extensions**
    >
    > It's important to note that the `Dockerfile` has _no_ file extension. Some editors
    > will automatically add an extension to the file (or complain it doesn't have one).

5. In the `Dockerfile`, define your base image by adding the following line:

    ```dockerfile
    FROM node:22-alpine
    ```

6. Now, define the working directory by using the `WORKDIR` instruction. This will specify where future commands will run and the directory files will be copied inside the container image.

    ```dockerfile
    WORKDIR /app
    ```

7. Copy all of the files from your project on your machine into the container image by using the `COPY` instruction:

    ```dockerfile
    COPY . .
    ```

8. Install the app's dependencies by using the `yarn` CLI and package manager. To do so, run a command using the `RUN` instruction:

    ```dockerfile
    RUN yarn install --production
    ```

9. Finally, specify the default command to run by using the `CMD` instruction:

    ```dockerfile
    CMD ["node", "./src/index.js"]
    ```
    And with that, you should have the following Dockerfile:


    ```dockerfile
    FROM node:22-alpine
    WORKDIR /app
    COPY . .
    RUN yarn install --production
    CMD ["node", "./src/index.js"]
    ```

> **This Dockerfile isn't production-ready yet**
>
> It's important to note that this Dockerfile is _not_ following all
> of the best practices yet (by design). It will build the app, but the
> builds won't be as fast, or the images as secure, as they could be.
>
> Keep reading to learn more about how to make the image maximize the
> build cache, run as a non-root user, and multi-stage builds.


> **Containerize new projects quickly with `docker init`**
>
> The `docker init` command will analyze your project and quickly create 
> a Dockerfile, a `compose.yaml`, and a `.dockerignore`, helping you get
> up and going. Since you're learning about Dockerfiles specifically here, 
> you won't use it now. But, [learn more about it here](/reference/cli/docker/init/).

## Additional resources

To learn more about writing a Dockerfile, visit the following resources:

* [Dockerfile reference](/reference/dockerfile/)
* [Dockerfile best practices](/develop/develop-images/dockerfile_best-practices/)
* [Base images](/build/building/base-images/)
* [Getting started with Docker Init](/reference/cli/docker/init/)

## Next steps

Now that you have created a Dockerfile and learned the basics, it's time to learn about building, tagging, and pushing the images.

{{< button text="Build, tag and publish the Image" url="build-tag-and-publish-an-image" >}}

