Docker Config Reference (docker diff)

docker diff is a powerful command to inspect where files are changing inside the container!

Example 1

docker diff myrunningcontainer

This command inspects and lists filesystem changes in the running container "myrunningcontainer", displaying added (A), changed (C), or deleted (D) files since its creation, which is valuable for monitoring runtime modifications in active applications.

Example 2

docker diff stoppedcontainer

This command examines filesystem alterations in the stopped container "stoppedcontainer", enabling analysis of persistent changes without restarting, suitable for post-execution debugging.

Example 3

docker diff a1b2c3d4e5f6

This command uses a partial container ID "a1b2c3d4e5f6" to display filesystem differences, providing flexibility when container names are unavailable or lengthy.

Example 4

docker diff webappcont > changes.txt

This command redirects the output of filesystem changes from "webappcont" to a file "changes.txt", facilitating logging or scripted analysis of modifications in web applications.

Example 5

docker diff dbcontainer | grep '^C'

This command filters changes in "dbcontainer" to show only modified files (prefixed with 'C'), aiding in targeted review of database configuration updates.

Example 6

docker diff appcont | wc -l

This command counts the number of filesystem changes in "appcont", offering a quantitative measure of modifications for auditing purposes.

Example 10

docker diff tempcont | sort

This command sorts the list of changes in "tempcont", organizing output for easier identification of patterns in temporary file handling.

Example 11

docker diff f6e5d4c3b2a1

This command uses a full container ID "f6e5d4c3b2a1" to display changes, ensuring precision in multi-container setups with similar names.

Example 12

docker diff logcont | grep '^A /var/log/'

This command filters added files in "/var/log/" from "logcont", assisting in log file accumulation analysis.

Example 13

docker diff configcont

This command lists changes in "configcont", focusing on configuration directories to detect runtime adjustments.

Example 14

docker diff debugcont > debug_changes.log

This command redirects changes from "debugcont" to a log file, supporting detailed forensic analysis during debugging.

Example 15

docker diff seccont | grep '^D'

This command filters deleted files (prefixed with 'D') in "seccont", aiding in security audits for removed sensitive data.

Example 16

docker diff batchjobcont

This command inspects changes in a batch job container "batchjobcont", verifying output files after processing tasks.

Example 17

docker diff 1234567890ab

This command displays changes using a shortened ID "1234567890ab", convenient for quick checks from docker ps output.

Example 18

docker diff appcont | tee changes.log

This command displays and saves changes from "appcont" to "changes.log", allowing real-time viewing with persistent records.

Example 19

docker diff testenvcont

This command lists modifications in a test environment container "testenvcont", ensuring isolation verification post-testing.

Example 20

docker diff prodsimcont | grep '^C /etc/'

This command filters modified system files in "/etc/" from "prodsimcont", simulating production change detection.

Example 21

docker diff dataprocesscont

This command examines changes in "dataprocesscont", identifying generated or altered data files in processing workflows.

Example 22

docker diff abcdef123456

This command uses a container ID "abcdef123456" to list changes, applicable in automated scripts referencing IDs.

Example 23

docker diff monitorcont > monitor_diff.txt

This command saves changes from "monitorcont" to a file, for periodic monitoring of filesystem integrity.

Example 24

docker diff cachecont | grep '^A /cache/'

This command filters added cache files in "cachecont", assessing cache growth in performance-critical applications.

Example 25

docker diff authcont

This command lists changes in an authentication container "authcont", detecting modifications to credential stores.

Example 26

docker diff queuecont | sort -r

This command reverse-sorts changes in "queuecont", prioritizing recent or significant alterations in queue systems.

Example 27

docker diff 7890abcdef12

This command displays changes using ID "7890abcdef12", for containers in clustered or orchestrated environments.

Example 28

docker diff reportcont | wc -l

This command counts changes in "reportcont", quantifying modifications in reporting or analytics containers.

Example 29

docker diff backupcont

This command inspects changes in "backupcont", verifying backup file additions or deletions.

Example 30

docker diff legacycont | grep '^D /legacy/'

This command filters deleted legacy files in "legacycont", supporting migration audits in updated systems.