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Containers & deployment — from Zero to Expert

Docker

Containerize, persist, orchestrate: images, Dockerfile, Compose, registries, CI and first steps towards Swarm and Kubernetes.

7progressive levels
34detailed sections
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Updated September 22, 2026

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Guide resources

0

Level 0 — Discovery & installation

Understand containers, install Docker, live through the first lifecycle.

  1. What is Docker for: containers vs VMs
  2. Install Docker and run your first container
  3. Architecture: image, container, registry, daemon
  4. Lifecycle: run, ps, stop, rm, logs
Start level 0 →
1

Level 1 — Images & everyday containers

Tags, ports, volumes, networks and everyday debugging.

  1. Images: tags, layers and Docker Hub
  2. Run containers: ports, names, modes, variables
  3. Volumes: persist data beyond containers
  4. Networks: connect containers
  5. Observe and debug: logs, exec, inspect
Start level 1 →
2

Level 2 — Dockerfile: building your images

Write, optimize, publish and harden your images.

  1. Write your first Dockerfile
  2. Optimize the build: layers, cache and multi-stage
  3. Version and publish your images
  4. Configuration: ENV, ARG and .env files
  5. Basic security: non-root, secrets and scanning
Start level 2 →
3

Level 3 — Compose: multi-container applications

Describe, run and troubleshoot complete stacks.

  1. The compose.yml file: services, ports, volumes
  2. Manage the stack: up, down, logs, ps
  3. Worked example: web app + database
  4. Variables, profiles and per-environment overrides
  5. Troubleshoot Compose: restarts and orphan volumes
Start level 3 →
4

Level 4 — Advanced local production

Registries, reliability, proxy, backups and CI.

  1. Registries: Hub, GHCR and private registry
  2. Make it reliable: healthcheck and restart policies
  3. Advanced networks and reverse proxy
  4. Back up and restore volumes
  5. CI: build and push an image on every commit
Start level 4 →
5

Level 5 — Towards orchestration & best practices

Swarm, minimal Kubernetes, production checklist and certifications.

  1. Swarm vs Kubernetes: when to switch to orchestration?
  2. Swarm express: cluster, stack and replicas
  3. Kubernetes in 20 minutes: Pod, Deployment, Service
  4. Production checklist and certifications
Start level 5 →
6

Level 6 — In practice

Case studies, error playbook, toolkit and field feedback.

  1. Case studies
  2. Recurring issues (playbook)
  3. Best practices & pitfalls
  4. Toolkit
  5. Field feedback
  6. Going further
Start level 6 →

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