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Open a shell in a running Docker container

harmless rootDockerdebian, ubuntu
Adjust the values, the command updates live
root@server
docker exec -it app sh

Opens a shell in the already running container, and exit gets you back out without stopping the container. sh is available almost everywhere, many Debian-based images also include bash, slim Alpine images do not.

Note: Changes inside the container are lost when it is recreated, permanent adjustments belong in the image or in a volume. Docker commands require root or the docker group.

Also searched as

  • docker exec bash into container
  • how to get shell in docker container
  • docker exec -it sh

Related one-liners

All in Docker

Follow Docker container logs live

#docker logs -f --tail 100 app
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Show the environment variables of a Docker container

#docker exec app env
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Show the processes running in a Docker container

#docker top app
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Back up a Docker volume to a tar archive

#docker run --rm -v app_data:/data:ro -v /root/docker-backup:/backup alpine tar czf /backup/app_data.tar.gz -C /data .
cautionDocker

Change the restart policy of a Docker container

#docker update --restart unless-stopped app
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Clean up unused Docker data

#docker system prune
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Read first, then run.

The commands on myline.de act directly on servers, files and databases. A wrong path or placeholder can delete data irreversibly or make a server unreachable.

  • All commands are provided without warranty and are not tested on every system.
  • Understand what a command does before running it, and check every placeholder.
  • Make a backup first and, if possible, try it on a test system.
  • You run commands at your own risk. Liability for damages is excluded to the extent permitted by law.