How to Install Docker on Your Linux VPS
Docker allows you to run applications in isolated containers.
Install Docker
Update system
First, update the package lists:bashsudo apt updatesudo apt updateInstall dependencies
Install the required packages:bashsudo apt install ca-certificates curl gnupg -ysudo apt install ca-certificates curl gnupg -yAdd GPG key
Add the official Docker GPG key:bashsudo 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.gpgsudo 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.gpgNote
For Debian, replace
ubuntuwithdebianin the URL.Add repository
Add the official Docker repository:bashecho "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/nullecho "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/nullInstall Docker
Update the package lists and install Docker:bashsudo apt update sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin -ysudo apt update sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin -yVerify installation
Check if Docker was installed correctly:bashsudo docker run hello-worldsudo docker run hello-worldIf the installation was successful, a confirmation message will be displayed.
Useful commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
docker ps | Show running containers |
docker ps -a | Show all containers |
docker images | Show downloaded images |
docker start <container> | Start a container |
docker stop <container> | Stop a container |
docker rm <container> | Delete a container |
docker compose up -d | Start Docker Compose |
docker compose down | Stop Docker Compose |
Tip
Docker is automatically started on system boot. You can check the status with sudo systemctl status docker.