How to Use Docker on Arch Linux

Docker has revolutionized software development by offering a lightweight, consistent, and flexible environment for running applications. Arch Linux, known for its simplicity, cutting-edge updates, and DIY philosophy, provides an ideal platform for users who want complete control over their software stack. This article walks you through everything you need to know to install, configure, and use Docker on Arch Linux effectively.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Docker
2. Why Use Docker on Arch Linux?
3. Installing Docker on Arch Linux
4. Starting and Enabling the Docker Service
5. Running Your First Container
6. Working with Docker Images
7. Managing Containers
8. Docker Compose on Arch Linux
9. Security Considerations
10. Best Practices
11. Conclusion

1. Introduction to Docker

Docker is an open-source platform that allows developers to automate the deployment of applications inside lightweight, portable containers. Containers bundle all the necessary components such as code, runtime, libraries, and system tools, ensuring consistent behavior across environments.

Unlike virtual machines, containers share the host system’s kernel, making them much more efficient and fast to start. Docker is widely used in development, testing, and production due to its flexibility and ease of use.

2. Why Use Docker on Arch Linux?

Arch Linux is a favorite among power users and developers due to its rolling-release model and customization potential. Combining Docker with Arch Linux brings several benefits:

• Latest software versions: Arch provides the most up-to-date Docker versions.
• User control: You decide exactly how Docker integrates with your system.
• Lightweight base: Arch’s minimalism complements Docker’s container-based model.
• Documentation and community: The Arch Wiki and community forums offer excellent support for Docker.

3. Installing Docker on Arch Linux

Docker is available in the official Arch repositories, making installation straightforward using pacman.

Step-by-step installation

1. Update your system:

   sudo pacman -Syu
   

2. Install Docker:

   sudo pacman -S docker
   

This will install the Docker engine, CLI tools, and dependencies.

Optional (but recommended): Add your user to the docker group

By default, Docker commands require root privileges. You can avoid typing sudo every time by adding your user to the docker group:

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

Log out and log back in for the change to take effect.

4. Starting and Enabling the Docker Service

To use Docker, the docker.service daemon must be running. You can start and enable it using systemctl.

sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker

Check if Docker is running:

systemctl status docker

You should see an “active (running)” status.

5. Running Your First Container

To verify that Docker is working, you can run a simple test container.

docker run hello-world

This command downloads the hello-world image (if not already present), starts a container, and prints a confirmation message.

If you see a message that says “Hello from Docker!”, everything is working correctly.

6. Working with Docker Images

Searching for Images

You can search Docker Hub (Docker’s default registry) for images:

docker search nginx

Pulling Images

To download an image:

docker pull nginx

This fetches the nginx image and stores it locally.

Listing Images

docker images

This lists all downloaded images.

7. Managing Containers

Running Containers

To run a container in the background (detached mode):

docker run -d --name mynginx -p 8080:80 nginx

• -d: detached mode
• --name: assigns a name to the container
• -p: maps port 8080 on the host to port 80 in the container

Now you can visit http://localhost:8080 in your browser to see the Nginx welcome page.

Listing Running Containers

docker ps

Stopping a Container

docker stop mynginx

Restarting a Container

docker start mynginx

Removing a Container

docker rm mynginx

Be sure to stop the container before removing it.

8. Docker Compose on Arch Linux

Docker Compose is a tool for defining and running multi-container applications using YAML configuration files.

Install Docker Compose

The Compose plugin is now distributed separately:

sudo pacman -S docker-compose

Create a Simple Compose File

Create a file named docker-compose.yml:

version: '3'
services:
  web:
    image: nginx
    ports:
      - "8080:80"

Run it

docker-compose up -d

Stop it

docker-compose down

This makes managing complex setups much easier.

9. Security Considerations

While Docker is powerful, there are some security aspects to be aware of:

• Root access: Docker has deep system access. Containers running with --privileged can be a security risk.

• User namespace remapping: You can enable user namespaces to isolate container users from the host:

  Edit /etc/docker/daemon.json:

  {
    "userns-remap": "default"
  }
  

  Then restart Docker:

  sudo systemctl restart docker
  

• Use non-root images: Prefer images that use a non-root user by default.

• Scan images: Use tools like trivy or dockle to scan images for vulnerabilities.

10. Best Practices

To make the most of Docker on Arch Linux, follow these best practices:

Keep your system updated

Arch’s rolling-release model means updates are frequent. Keep both your system and Docker tools up-to-date.

sudo pacman -Syu

Use .dockerignore

Exclude unnecessary files from Docker builds to speed up and secure your builds.

Example .dockerignore:

.git
node_modules
*.log

Use minimal base images

Images like alpine or busybox reduce the attack surface and save space.

FROM alpine

Clean up unused containers and images

To free up disk space:

docker system prune

Use with care—this removes stopped containers, unused networks, and dangling images.

Monitor Docker resource usage

Tools like docker stats or third-party solutions (e.g., cAdvisor, Portainer) can help track performance and identify issues.

11. Conclusion

Docker is a powerful tool for managing applications in isolated environments, and Arch Linux’s lightweight and cutting-edge nature makes it a great match. Whether you’re building development environments, hosting services, or experimenting with new software stacks, Docker on Arch gives you the flexibility and control to get the job done efficiently.

To recap, you’ve learned how to:

• Install Docker and Docker Compose
• Start and manage Docker containers
• Pull and use images from Docker Hub
• Use best practices and security measures
• Leverage Arch’s strengths for a powerful container platform

Arch Linux users are often power users who like to dig deep—and Docker is a similarly deep and flexible tool. With the knowledge from this guide, you’re well on your way to mastering containerization on Arch.

If you’re looking to go even further, consider exploring:

• Building custom Docker images with Dockerfile
• Hosting your own Docker registry
• Integrating Docker with CI/CD pipelines
• Orchestrating containers using Kubernetes or Podman

Docker isn’t just a tool—it’s a new way of thinking about software delivery. And on Arch Linux, it’s right at home.