Docker Desktop

Docker Desktop is Docker's official desktop application, providing a graphical interface for managing Docker on Windows and macOS. This chapter covers its core features and usage.

Overview

Docker Desktop is an all-in-one Docker development environment that includes:

• Docker Engine
• Docker CLI
• Docker Compose
• Docker Buildx
• Kubernetes (optional)
• Graphical management interface

Main Interface

Containers

The Containers panel shows all container statuses:

Info	Description
Name	Container name
Image	Image used
Status	Running / Stopped / Paused
Ports	Mapped ports
Actions	Start, stop, restart, delete

You can directly:

• View container logs
• Open a container terminal
• Monitor resource usage
• Inspect container configuration

Images

The Images panel manages local images:

• View all local images and sizes
• Create containers from images
• Delete unused images
• Pull new images

Volumes

The Volumes panel manages Docker volumes:

• View all volumes
• Inspect volume details and usage
• Delete unused volumes

Key Features

1. Integrated Kubernetes

Docker Desktop includes a single-node Kubernetes cluster:

1. Open Settings → Kubernetes
2. Check "Enable Kubernetes"
3. Click "Apply & Restart"

kubectl cluster-info
kubectl get nodes

2. Extensions

Docker Desktop supports extensions for enhanced functionality:

• Disk Usage: Analyze Docker disk usage
• Logs Explorer: Enhanced log viewing
• Resource Usage: Real-time resource monitoring

Browse and install extensions from the Extensions Marketplace.

3. Docker Scout

Docker Scout provides image security analysis:

docker scout cves myimage:latest
docker scout recommendations myimage:latest

Settings

General

Option	Description
Start Docker Desktop when you sign in	Auto-start on login
Send usage statistics	Send anonymous usage data
Use Docker Compose V2	Use Compose V2

Resources

Recommended configuration for development:

• CPU: 2-4 cores
• Memory: 4-8 GB
• Swap: 1-2 GB
• Disk: 60-100 GB

Docker Engine

Edit daemon.json directly:

{
  "builder": {
    "gc": {
      "defaultKeepStorage": "20GB",
      "enabled": true
    }
  },
  "experimental": false
}

CLI vs GUI Reference

Operation	CLI	Docker Desktop
List containers	docker ps -a	Containers panel
List images	docker images	Images panel
View logs	docker logs <id>	Click container → Logs
Open terminal	docker exec -it <id> sh	Click container → Terminal
View resources	docker stats	Click container → Stats

Common Issues

High Resource Usage

• Reduce allocated CPU and memory
• Regularly clean up: docker system prune -a
• Quit Docker Desktop when not in use

Updating

Docker Desktop checks for updates automatically. Manual check: Click Docker Desktop icon → Check for Updates.

Further Reading

• Docker Desktop Documentation
• Docker Desktop Extensions
• Docker Scout Documentation