A free, open-source introduction to Docker — written and maintained by Docker Captains and the community.
Docker 101: The Open Book is a practical, community-driven guide to containerization.
It’s built to help developers go from zero to containers — confidently and securely — using real-world workflows and Captain-tested practices.
This book is:
- 🧭 Beginner-friendly — start from your first
docker run. - 🛠️ Hands-on — every concept has examples you can run locally or in Play-with-Docker.
- 🔐 Security-aware — naturally leads into Docker and Kubernetes Security.
- 🤝 Collaborative — open for contributions, translations, and continuous updates.
We believe foundational Docker knowledge should be freely available to everyone.
Docker 101 complements and does not compete with the available commercial books and training. It serves as an open, modern prerequisite that prepares readers for deeper learning and for container security best practices.
| Part | Title | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| I | Getting Started with Docker | From installation to your first image |
| II | Working with Containers | Volumes, networks, Compose, troubleshooting |
| III | Docker in Practice | CI/CD, workflows, Captain tips |
| IV | From Docker to Security | Secure habits and the path toward DevSecOps |
| Appendices | CLI Reference, Dockerfile Cheat Sheet, Troubleshooting, Glossary |
| Format | Access |
|---|---|
| 🌐 HTML Website | Free |
| 📄 PDF & ePub | Free Download |
| 📗 Printed Edition | Paid Support |
All digital formats are free under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Purchasing the print version helps fund ongoing community work and printing costs.
Contributions are welcome!
See the CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines on how to get involved.