Running commands in the docker containers

There are a few different methods to run commands in the docker containers.

Running commands from the local terminal

To run a command in the server container you can use:

docker compose run server --rm <command>

To run a command in the postgresql container you can use:

docker compose run db --rm <command>

Methods of running commands:

docker compose run

• Creates and starts a new container from a specified image.
• Can run a command in the new container.
• Useful for running one-off tasks or starting new containers.

Click here for info on docker compose run

docker compose exec

• Runs a command in an already running container.
• Does not create a new container.
• Useful for running commands or opening a shell in an existing container.

Click here for info on docker compose exec

Running commands via the docker desktop terminal

• Open docker desktop
• Click containersin the left panel
• CLick the 3 dots in the actions column of the container
• Click open in terminal

Now you can run your commands directly in the terminal of the container.

Attach VScode to a container to run commands

• Open a new window with VScode
• Click View then Command Palette
• Search for Dev Containers: Attach to Running Container
• Click the container you want to attach to VScode

Now you can use VScode’s terminal to run commands directly in the container.

Click here for more info