docker-build

TLDR

Build an image from Dockerfile

$ docker build -t [image_name] .

Build with specific Dockerfile

$ docker build -f [Dockerfile.dev] -t [image_name] .

Build with build arguments

$ docker build --build-arg [VAR=value] -t [image_name] .

Build without cache

$ docker build --no-cache -t [image_name] .

Build for specific platform

$ docker build --platform [linux/amd64] -t [image_name] .

Build multi-platform image (buildx)

$ docker buildx build --platform [linux/amd64,linux/arm64] -t [image_name] .

Build and push to registry

$ docker build -t [registry/image:tag] --push .

SYNOPSIS

docker build [options] path|url

docker build creates Docker images from a Dockerfile and context (files available during build). The Dockerfile contains instructions for assembling the image layer by layer.
The build context is sent to the Docker daemon, which processes Dockerfile instructions sequentially. Each instruction creates a layer; layers are cached and reused when unchanged, speeding up subsequent builds.
Modern builds use BuildKit (enabled by default in recent Docker versions), providing improved performance, better caching, and features like secrets and SSH forwarding.

PARAMETERS

-t, --tag name:tag

Name and optionally tag the image.

-f, --file path

Path to Dockerfile (default: PATH/Dockerfile).

--build-arg key=value

Build-time variables.

--no-cache

Don't use cache when building.

--pull

Always pull newer base image.

--target stage

Build specific stage in multi-stage Dockerfile.

--platform platform

Target platform (linux/amd64, linux/arm64).

--progress type

Progress output: auto, plain, tty.

--secret id=secret

Secret to expose to build.

--ssh socket

SSH agent socket to expose.

-q, --quiet

Suppress build output.

--push

Push image after build (buildx).

CAVEATS

Large build contexts slow builds; use .dockerignore to exclude unnecessary files. Layer caching depends on instruction order; put frequently changing instructions last. Multi-platform builds require buildx and may need emulation or cross-compilation setup.

HISTORY

Docker build has been a core Docker feature since the initial release in 2013. BuildKit, a next-generation builder with improved performance and features, was introduced in 2017 and became the default in Docker 23.0 (2023). The buildx plugin extends build capabilities for multi-platform images and advanced build scenarios.