FAQ

Why not just write docker compose myself?

You can, and updock's output is plain Compose so you still can. updock removes the tedious parts: finding the right image, picking a version, looking up which ports and environment variables it needs, generating passwords, and wiring multi-service apps together. One word in, a running app out.

Why control by number instead of by name?

Because it is faster and you never have to remember or retype names. updock ls numbers everything, and every command takes that number: updock logs 2, updock stop 2. The numbers are stable and assigned alphabetically.

Where are my files?

Projects live in ~/updock/<name>/ (configurable). Global config is at ~/.config/updock/config.toml and your own recipes go in ~/.local/share/updock/recipes/. See Projects.

Is updock locked in? Can I stop using it?

No lock-in. The generated docker-compose.yml and .env are standard files that work with plain docker compose. You can keep the folders and manage them directly at any time.

Does updock store or send my secrets anywhere?

No. Secrets are written only to the project's .env file (0600, gitignored), masked in all output, and never logged. updock has no telemetry and never phones home. See the security model.

Do I need root?

No. updock never needs root for itself; only Docker needs privileges. updock never runs sudo on your behalf.

How do I run a specific version of an image?

At the picker, choose the "choose version" option to see the tag list, sorted newest-first with latest pinned to the top.

Can I add an app that needs multiple containers?

Yes, through recipes. Several are built in (WordPress, Nextcloud, Gitea, and more), and you can add your own. See Recipes.

Does it work offline?

Search and image inspection need network access to Docker Hub. Once a project is scaffolded, lifecycle commands (up, stop, logs, and so on) work against your local Docker. Built-in recipes are embedded in the binary, so they need no network.

Which platforms are supported?

Linux, macOS, and Windows, on amd64 and arm64. See Installation.