YouTip

# Docker import Command [Docker Command Manual](#) * * * The `docker import` command is used to import a container snapshot from a tar file or URL to create a new Docker image. Unlike `docker load`, `docker import` creates a new image from a container snapshot without preserving the image's history and metadata. ### Syntax docker import file|URL|- [REPOSITORY[:TAG]] * **`file|URL|-`**: The path to the input file, a local file or URL, or use `-` to read from standard input. * **`[REPOSITORY[:TAG]]`**: (Optional) Specify the repository and tag for the imported image. OPTIONS description: * **`-c, --change`**: Apply Dockerfile instructions during import, such as `CMD`, `ENTRYPOINT`, `ENV`, etc. * **`-m, --message`**: Add a comment to the imported image. 1. Import an image from a local tar file docker import mycontainer.tar mynewimage:latest This imports the image from the mycontainer.tar file and names it mynewimage:latest. 2. Import an image from a URL docker import http://example.com/mycontainer.tar mynewimage:latest This imports the image from the specified URL and names it mynewimage:latest. 3. Import an image from standard input cat mycontainer.tar | docker import - mynewimage:latest This reads the tar file from standard input via a pipe and imports the image. 4. Apply changes during import docker import -c "ENV LANG=en_US.UTF-8" -c "CMD /bin/bash" mycontainer.tar mynewimage:latest This imports the image from mycontainer.tar and sets the environment variable LANG and command CMD during the process. ## Examples **1. Export a container snapshot** First, create and run a container: docker run -d --name mycontainer ubuntu:20.04 sleep 3600 Export the container snapshot: docker export mycontainer -o mycontainer.tar **2. Import the container snapshot** Import the image from the tar file: docker import mycontainer.tar mynewimage:latest **3. Verify the imported image** docker images Example output: REPOSITORY TAG IMAGE ID CREATED SIZE mynewimage latest 123abc456def 1 minute ago 72.9MB **4. Run the imported image** docker run -it mynewimage:latest /bin/bash ### Notes * Images created with `docker import` do not preserve the original image's history and metadata. * The `-c` option allows applying Dockerfile instructions during import to customize the new image's configuration. * The imported tar file must be a container snapshot created with `docker export`, or a compatible format. The `docker import` command is a flexible method for creating new images from container snapshots, suitable for scenarios involving migration, restoration, and customization of Docker images. By using `docker import`, users can easily generate new images from container snapshots and apply additional configurations during the import process. * * Docker Command Manual](#)