docker-search

Search for Docker images by name or keyword

$ docker search [keyword]

$ docker search [[-f|--filter]] is-official=true [keyword]

$ docker search [[-f|--filter]] is-automated=true [keyword]

$ docker search [[-f|--filter]] stars=[number] [keyword]

$ docker search --limit [number] [keyword]

$ docker search [[-f|--format]] "[.Name]: [.Description]" [keyword]

docker search [OPTIONS] TERM

--filter, -f
    Filter output by conditions: stars=value, downloads=value

--format
    Pretty-print using Go template (e.g., '{{.Repository}}')

--limit
    Max search results (default 25)

--no-trunc
    Display full descriptions without truncation

The docker search command queries the Docker Hub registry to find available Docker images matching a specified search term. It lists public images with details like name, description, star ratings, official status, and automation flags.

When executed, it returns a table of results sorted by relevance and popularity (stars). Each row shows: NAME (image repository), DESCRIPTION (brief info), STARS (popularity count), OFFICIAL (marked if official), and AUTOMATED (marked if auto-built).

Ideal for discovering images before pulling them with docker pull. Results are limited by default to 25, but customizable. Filters refine output by stars or downloads, aiding quick identification of popular or trusted images.

Output can be formatted using Go templates for scripting or custom displays. Note that search relies on Docker Hub's index, so private registries need separate configuration. It's a read-only operation, fast for exploration, but for production, verify images via tags and documentation.

Rate-limited by Docker Hub; deprecated for scripting in favor of API; results approximate popularity.

NAME: Repository name
DESCRIPTION: Image summary
STARS: Popularity rating
OFFICIAL: Docker-maintained [OK]
AUTOMATED: Auto-build [OK]

docker search nginx --limit 5 --filter stars=100
Lists top 5 NGINX images with 100+ stars.

Introduced in Docker 0.8.0 (2014); evolved with CLI v1/v2 transitions; maintained in Moby project for Docker Engine.

docker pull(1), docker images(1), docker push(1), docker tag(1)