DesktopBeginner

Docker Desktop Cheatsheet

All-in-one Docker for Mac, Windows, and Linux with GUI, extensions, and Dev Environments.

What it is

Docker Desktop bundles Docker Engine, CLI, Compose, Buildx, Scout, Kubernetes, and a graphical dashboard — plus the Extensions marketplace and Dev Environments for team collaboration.

Installation

Download from docker.com/products/docker-desktop. Available for Mac (Apple Silicon & Intel), Windows, and Linux.

Quick start

docker desktop start

Start Docker Desktop from the CLI.

docker desktop status

Check if Docker Desktop is running.

docker context ls

List available Docker contexts.

Common commands

Task	Command	Description
Start Desktop	`docker desktop start`	Launch Docker Desktop.
Stop Desktop	`docker desktop stop`	Shut down Docker Desktop.
Status	`docker desktop status`	Check running state.
List contexts	`docker context ls`	Show available Docker contexts.
Switch context	`docker context use <name>`	Change the active Docker context.

Real-world examples

Switch between Docker contexts

docker context ls
docker context use desktop-linux
docker context use production-remote

Best practices

Set resource limits (CPU/RAM) in Docker Desktop Settings to prevent host slowdown.
Use Docker Extensions to add tools like Portainer, Lens, or Snyk directly in Desktop.
Enable the Docker Scout integration for automatic vulnerability scanning.

Related cheatsheets

Last reviewed: 2026-06-15