Dockerfile Tutorial 2026: How to use FROM, WORKDIR, RUN, COPY & CMD Instructions
Dockerfile Tutorial 2026: How to use FROM, WORKDIR, RUN, COPY & CMD Instructions
Stop using random images and start building your own! In Chapter 13 of our DevOps Roadmap 2026, we move into one of the most critical skills for any DevOps Engineer: Writing Dockerfiles. If you want to automate your deployments and containerize your own applications, you must master these instructions.
In this tutorial, we break down the "building blocks" of a Docker Image. We’ll show you how to select a base image with FROM, set your environment with WORKDIR, execute commands during the build with RUN, move your code with COPY, and finally, define how your app starts with CMD.
No more "black box" containers—after this video, you'll know exactly how to architect a lightweight, secure, and production-ready Docker image.
🚀 What We Cover in This Chapter:
🔥 The Foundation: Choosing the right base image with FROM 🏗️
🔥 Organization: Why you should always use WORKDIR 📂
🔥 The Build Phase: Running shell commands with RUN ⚡
🔥 Code Injection: How to properly use COPY vs ADD 📤
🔥 The Entry Point: Defining the default execution with CMD 🎬
🔥 Best Practices: Writing clean Dockerfiles for 2026 🛡️
🛠️ Chapter 13 Toolkit & Resources
Ready to build your first image? Access the source code and the step-by-step guide below to follow along with the lab:
🔗 GitHub Repository (SharksNode): https://github.com/faisikhan/sharksnode/
⏱️ Navigate the Dockerfile Masterclass:
00:00 🎬 Introduction: What is a Dockerfile & Why do we need it?
03:37 📝 The Blueprint: How to write a Dockerfile (Step-by-Step)
05:15 🏗️ Deep Dive: Understanding Docker Image Layers & Caching
20:07 🧪 Hands-on Lab: Building your first Docker Image from scratch
50:14 🌐 Real-World Example: Building an NGINX Web Server Image
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