runc

TLDR

Run container

$ runc run [container-id]

Create container

$ runc create [container-id]

Start container

$ runc start [container-id]

List containers

$ runc list

Kill container

$ runc kill [container-id]

Delete container

$ runc delete [container-id]

Execute in container

$ runc exec [container-id] [command]

SYNOPSIS

runc [options] command [args...]

runc is a CLI tool for spawning and running containers according to the OCI specification. It's the reference implementation of the Open Container Initiative runtime specification.
The tool provides low-level container runtime functionality, used by Docker, containerd, and other container platforms.

PARAMETERS

run id

Create and start container.

create id

Create container.

start id

Start created container.

list

List containers.

state id

Output container state.

kill id [signal]

Send signal to container.

delete id

Delete container.

exec id cmd

Execute command in container.

spec

Generate spec file.

--root dir

Root directory for storage.

CAVEATS

Requires OCI bundle. Low-level tool - usually not used directly. Needs root for full functionality. Container must be configured properly.

HISTORY

runc was developed as part of the Open Container Initiative (OCI) by Docker and others in 2015. It standardized container runtime behavior, enabling interoperability between container platforms.