How to Run a Docker Image After Pulling from Docker Hub

After pulling an image from Docker Hub, you can run it as a container using the docker run command. Below is a step-by-step guide with examples.

Step 1: Pull the Image from Docker Hub

Before running an image, you need to download it.

Command:

docker pull <image-name>:<tag>

• <image-name>: Name of the image (e.g., nginx, ubuntu).
• <tag>: Version of the image (default is latest if not specified).

Example:

docker pull nginx:latest  # Pulls the latest Nginx image
docker pull ubuntu:20.04  # Pulls Ubuntu 20.04

Verify the Pulled Image

docker images  # Lists all downloaded images

Output:

REPOSITORY   TAG       IMAGE ID       CREATED       SIZE
nginx        latest    abc123...      2 weeks ago   133MB
ubuntu       20.04     def456...      3 weeks ago   72.8MB

Step 2: Run the Docker Image

Use docker run to create and start a container from the image.

Basic Syntax:

docker run [options] <image-name>

Common options:

Examples:

1. Run a Simple Container

docker run nginx  # Starts Nginx in the foreground

• Press Ctrl+C to stop it.

2. Run in Detached Mode (Background)

docker run -d --name my-nginx nginx

• Check running containers:

  docker ps
  

3. Expose a Port (e.g., Nginx on Port 8080)

docker run -d -p 8080:80 --name web-server nginx

• Access Nginx at:

  http://localhost:8080
  

4. Run an Interactive Shell (e.g., Ubuntu)

docker run -it ubuntu bash

• This opens a shell inside the container.
• Type exit to leave.

5. Mount a Volume (Persistent Storage)

docker run -v /host/folder:/container/folder nginx

Step 3: Managing the Running Container

Stop a Container

docker stop <container-name-or-id>

Example:

docker stop my-nginx

Start a Stopped Container

docker start <container-name-or-id>

Remove a Container

docker rm <container-name-or-id>

Remove an Image

docker rmi <image-name>

Common Use Cases

1. Running a MySQL Database

docker run -d --name mysql-db -e MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=1234 -p 3306:3306 mysql:latest

2. Running a Python Flask App

docker run -d -p 5000:5000 --name flask-app my-python-image

3. Running Redis (In-Memory Database)

docker run -d --name my-redis -p 6379:6379 redis

Conclusion

• Pull an image → docker pull <image>
• Run it → docker run [options] <image>
• Manage containers → docker ps, docker stop, docker rm

Now you can easily run any Docker image from Docker Hub! 🚀

Got questions? Ask in the comments! 🐳