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lazydocker is a keyboard-oriented terminal interface for inspecting and managing an existing Docker environment, including Docker Compose services. It brings status, logs, configurable metric graphs, and common actions into one view; it works alongside Docker rather than replacing Docker Engine or Compose.
What lazydocker does
The lazydocker project describes it as “A simple terminal UI for both docker and docker-compose, written in Go with the gocui library.” Its README captures a familiar problem: “Memorising docker commands is hard. Memorising aliases is slightly less hard. Keeping track of your containers across multiple terminal windows is near impossible.” lazydocker responds by putting many routine inspection and management tasks in one terminal interface.
It can show environment status, display container or service logs, render configurable ASCII metric graphs, attach to a container or service, and provide actions to restart, remove, rebuild, or recreate resources. It can also show image ancestor layers and offer pruning actions for containers, images, or volumes. Mouse events are supported alongside keyboard navigation.
It is a control interface over the Docker environment available to it. You still need a functioning Docker installation; Compose is optional if you only want to work with Docker containers. For Compose workflows, lazydocker uses Compose commands to act on services.
Install lazydocker and check compatibility
The project README lists several installation routes: package managers, downloadable release binaries, Go, a Docker image, and a manual build from a cloned repository. Its listed package-manager options include Homebrew, Scoop, Chocolatey, asdf, and Arch AUR. For Go installation, the README specifies Go 1.19 or newer. Choose a route appropriate to your operating system and how you prefer to manage software.
The README also documents an automated installer that pipes a script into Bash and warns: “Automated install/update, don’t forget to always verify what you’re piping into bash:” If you use that method, inspect the script before running it. A package manager or release binary is an alternative if you do not want to pipe remote content to a shell.
The README currently states “Docker >= 29.0.0 (API >= 1.24)” and “Docker-Compose >= 1.23.2 (optional).” The pairing of the Docker engine version and API number is not resolved here, so do not treat it as a verified compatibility matrix. Check the current project guidance against the Docker and Compose versions installed in your environment. Release assets and supported packages change; check the release page for current downloads and platform-specific files before installing.
Running the Docker image
The documented Docker-image approach mounts /var/run/docker.sock into the lazydocker container so the UI can reach the Docker daemon. That socket provides access to the host Docker environment; understand the permissions and exposure involved in your deployment before granting that access. This is a consequence of the documented socket mount, not a separate security assessment by the project.
Open the interface and navigate
After installation, start lazydocker from a terminal in the environment you want to inspect. It presents the available Docker resources in a terminal UI. Use the keyboard to move among the panels and select resources or actions; mouse events are also supported. The exact available resources depend on the Docker environment and whether Compose projects are present.
Use the interface first to inspect status and logs, then choose an action only after confirming which container or service is selected. This distinction matters because the same view can expose both read-oriented information and actions that change or remove resources.
Inspect logs and resource health
Logs
lazydocker’s documented default log history is the last 60 minutes. The configuration reference expresses this as since: '60m'; the log command templates can be changed to request a different interval. If older output is missing, check the configured log window rather than assuming the container never produced it.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The project FAQ notes a known limitation when lazydocker itself runs inside a Docker container: logs or CPU usage may be unavailable. This is distinct from the documented Docker-image installation, which mounts the host socket; availability can depend on the runtime arrangement.
Metric graphs
The default configuration example includes CPU and memory percentage graphs, and users can customize the ASCII metrics displayed. Treat these as convenient in-terminal indicators, not as a substitute for a dedicated monitoring system when you need long-term history or more extensive observability.
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Image layers and process inspection
The interface can show image ancestor layers. Its configuration reference also includes a Compose command template for inspecting service processes, which can help when you need to examine what is running within a service context.
Use management actions deliberately
The built-in and configurable command templates cover common Compose operations, including bringing a project up or down, restarting, starting or stopping a service, viewing service logs, rebuilding or recreating a service, validating Compose configuration, and inspecting service processes. Templates can expose container or service information to custom commands, allowing users to extend the interface.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteSome of these actions are consequential. In particular, the documented down --volumes form removes volumes associated with a Compose project, which can remove persisted data. Confirm the selected project and understand the command’s effect before running it. Pruning containers, images, or volumes can likewise remove resources you intended to keep; use those actions only when you have identified what will be affected.
Configure logs, graphs, and the interface
The project’s configuration reference documents the default settings and command templates. It shows the 60-minute log window and CPU and memory percentage graph examples, and describes adjustable UI behavior. The config reference lists standard configuration locations for macOS, Linux, and Windows, so use it to find the path for your operating system and the current configuration format.
When changing a command template, check both the command and the resource information it receives. A custom command can do more than inspect state: templates may start, stop, rebuild, remove, or otherwise change resources depending on what you configure.
When lazydocker is the right interface
lazydocker is a fit when you want to manage existing containers or Compose services without switching among multiple command windows. If your main task is creating or configuring Docker resources, the project README points to docui as an option oriented more toward that work. It describes Portainer as a browser-accessed interface and notes that it also supports Docker Swarm. These are differences in interface and stated focus, not evidence that one option is faster, safer, or more complete.
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Use lazydocker when a terminal-based view of existing Docker resources and their routine operations matches your workflow. Keep Docker and Compose as the underlying tools, and use their own documentation and current project guidance when compatibility or command behavior needs verification.
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