docker-login

Interactively log into a registry

$ docker login

$ docker login [[-u|--username]] [username]

$ docker login [[-u|--username]] [username] [[-p|--password]] [password] [server]

$ echo "[password]" | docker login [[-u|--username]] [username] --password-stdin

docker login [OPTIONS] [SERVER]

-u, --username string
    Username for login

--password string
    Password (visible in process list, avoid)

-p, --password-stdin
    Read password from STDIN

--password-stdin-force
    Force password from STDIN, ignore helpers

--unencrypted-storage
    DEPRECATED: Store creds unencrypted

The docker login command authenticates a user to a Docker registry, such as Docker Hub or a private registry. It stores credentials securely in ~/.docker/config.json, often using credential helpers like pass or OS keychain for encryption.

Without arguments, it logs into Docker Hub (registry-1.docker.io). Specify a SERVER for custom registries. The command prompts for username and password interactively, but options allow automation.

Successful login enables docker push, docker pull from private repos. Credentials persist until docker logout. Use --password-stdin in scripts to avoid exposing passwords in process lists or history.

Supports multi-factor auth and various auth backends. Errors occur for invalid creds, network issues, or unsupported registries.

Never use --password in scripts; visible via ps. Prefer --password-stdin. Some registries require 2FA setup. Fails if credential helper misconfigured.

Optional registry URL, e.g., registry.example.com. Defaults to Docker Hub.

docker login
docker login localhost:5000 -u user
echo 'pass' | docker login -u user --password-stdin myreg.com

Introduced in Docker 1.0 (2014). Credential store support added in 1.11 (2016). --password-stdin in 17.07 for security. Ongoing updates for auth helpers.

docker logout(1), docker push(1), docker pull(1), docker manifest(1)