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Docker CLI Images & Build Cheat Sheet 2026

2 min read

Docker CLI — Images & Build Cheat Sheet 2026

Docker CLI Images & Build Cheat Sheet is the complete quick-reference of Docker CLI Images & Build commands grouped by function. Copy any command with one click and find what you need with Ctrl+F in under 3 seconds.

Images & Build

Action Command Useful flags
List local Docker images 
docker images
Delete unused local Docker images 
docker image prune
Delete all unused images (not just those without a tag) 
docker image prune --all
 --all
Show the history of a local Docker image 
docker history <image>
Build a Docker image using the Dockerfile in the current directory 
docker build .
Build a Docker image from a Dockerfile at a specified URL 
docker build <github.com/creack/docker-firefox>
Build a Docker image and tag it 
docker build --tag <name:tag> .
 --tag
Build a Docker image with no build context 
docker < <Dockerfile> build --tag <name:tag> -
 --tag
Do not use the cache when building the image 
docker build --no-cache --tag <name:tag> .
 --no-cache --tag
Build a Docker image using a specific Dockerfile 
docker build --file <Dockerfile> .
 --file
Build with custom build-time variables 
docker build --build-arg <HTTP_PROXY=http://10.20.30.2:1234> --build-arg <FTP_PROXY=http://40.50.60.5:4567> .
 --build-arg
View documentation for the original command 
tldr docker image tag

⚠️ Dangerous / Destructive Commands

These commands are irreversible. Verify your environment (dev/staging vs prod) before running them.

Action Command Warning
⚠️ Destroy ⚠️ 
terraform destroy -auto-approve
 Irreversible — verify the target before running
⚠️ Delete 
kubectl delete namespace production
 Irreversible — verify the target before running
⚠️ Prune ⚠️ 
docker system prune -af --volumes
 Irreversible — verify the target before running
⚠️ Delete 
pvesh delete /nodes/{node}/qemu/{vmid}
 Irreversible — verify the target before running
⚠️ Delete 
az group delete --name MyResourceGroup --yes
 Irreversible — verify the target before running

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Images & Build and the other groups?

Each group in this Docker CLI cheat sheet covers a distinct area. Images & Build focuses on its specific scope, while the other groups and the remaining groups cover networking, storage, security and diagnostics respectively.

How do I check the installed Docker CLI version?

Run the version command (usually docker version or docker --version). The output shows the client and, when applicable, the server version.

Why does Docker CLI return ‘permission denied’?

A ‘permission denied’ error in Docker CLI usually means the current user lacks sufficient privileges or credentials are not configured. Check: (1) assigned IAM/RBAC roles, (2) an active authentication context via the corresponding login command.

How do I filter Docker CLI output by status or name?

Use flags such as --filter, --selector or --query depending on the tool. You can also pipe into grep or jq to process JSON: 

docker list | grep RUNNING

What is the fastest way to debug a Docker CLI error?

Add the verbose flag (--verbose, -v or --debug) to the failing command. This reveals the underlying HTTP/API calls and the full error response body.

Official sources & references

Commands cross-checked against vendor documentation and high-authority repositories: