Docker on Linux means Docker Engine — a lightweight, command-line native installation. Docker on macOS and Windows means Docker Desktop — a GUI application that runs a Linux VM under the hood.
Here’s how to install both correctly.
Install Docker on Ubuntu / Debian Linux
The cleanest method is through Docker’s official apt repository.
Step 1: Remove old versions
sudo apt-get remove docker docker-engine docker.io containerd runcStep 2: Set up the repository
# Install dependencies
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ca-certificates curl gnupg
# Add Docker's official GPG key
sudo install -m 0755 -d /etc/apt/keyrings
curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg
sudo chmod a+r /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg
# Add the Docker repository
echo \
"deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu \
$(. /etc/os-release && echo "$VERSION_CODENAME") stable" | \
sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/nullStep 3: Install Docker Engine
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-pluginStep 4: Run Docker without sudo
By default, Docker requires sudo. Add yourself to the docker group to avoid this:
sudo groupadd docker
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
newgrp dockerLog out and back in for the change to take full effect.
Step 5: Verify
docker run hello-worldYou should see: Hello from Docker!
Install Docker on macOS
Docker Desktop (official)
Download from docs.docker.com/desktop/install/mac-install.
Choose the right download for your chip:
- Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) → Apple Silicon installer
- Intel → Intel chip installer
Double-click the .dmg, drag Docker to Applications, and open it.
Docker Desktop will ask for privileged access on first launch — allow it.
With Homebrew Cask
brew install --cask dockerThen open Docker Desktop from Applications to start the daemon.
Verify
docker --version
docker run hello-worldInstall Docker on Windows
Docker Desktop (official)
Requires Windows 10 64-bit (version 1903 or later) or Windows 11.
Download from docs.docker.com/desktop/install/windows-install.
Run the installer. It will:
- Enable WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) if not already enabled
- Install the WSL 2 Linux kernel update
- Configure Docker to use WSL 2 backend
After install, restart your machine.
With winget
winget install Docker.DockerDesktopRestart after installation, then open Docker Desktop from the Start menu.
Verify
Open PowerShell or Command Prompt:
docker --version
docker run hello-worldDocker Compose
Docker Compose is included in modern Docker installations as a plugin:
docker compose versionIf you’re on an older install that uses the standalone docker-compose command, update to Docker Engine 20.10+ to get the plugin version.
Common first commands
# Pull an image
docker pull nginx
# Run a container
docker run -d -p 8080:80 nginx
# List running containers
docker ps
# List all containers (including stopped)
docker ps -a
# Stop a container
docker stop <container_id>
# Remove a container
docker rm <container_id>
# List images
docker images
# Remove an image
docker rmi <image_name>
# Open a shell inside a running container
docker exec -it <container_id> bashRun a quick web server to test
docker run -d -p 8080:80 --name test-nginx nginxOpen http://localhost:8080 in your browser. You should see the Nginx welcome page.
Clean up when done:
docker stop test-nginx
docker rm test-nginxUpdating Docker
Ubuntu:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade docker-cemacOS / Windows: Docker Desktop updates itself. Check for updates in the Docker Desktop menu → Check for Updates.
Once Docker is running, see the Docker Cheat Sheet for the commands you’ll use every day, or learn How to Write a Production Dockerfile for Node.js.
