Docker Compose Made Simple: A HomeLab Beginner's Cheat Sheet

Introduction

As someone who transitioned from professional coding to self-hosting adventures, I've fallen in love with creating HomeLab setups and optimizing network gear.

When I discovered Docker and its companion tool Docker Compose, it transformed how I deploy personal projects.

From my first day using Docker, I started using docker-compose. Back then, it was a Python-based tool separate from the main Docker CLI.

I've always followed this principle: even if a deployment can be done with a single Docker command, using Docker Compose is better for self-hosted projects.

Although docker-compose wasn't perfect initially, its rewrite in Go language and integration into Docker CLI made me appreciate it even more.

Today, I use docker-compose commands far more often than basic Docker commands.

Why Beginners should choose Docker Compose over Docker run commands

🔹 No More Guesswork: Store all setup steps in a human-readable file

🔹 Time Travel Superpower: Recreate any project version effortlessly

🔹 Community Friendly: Share your work with clear instructions

🔹 Growing Together: Witness Docker's tooling evolution first-hand

And that is why I create this site: A Tool that can convert a docker run command to a docker-compose.yml, and share various docker-compose.yml-s that self-hosted beginners can tinker with.

My Essential Commands

Below is a cheatsheet for docker compose. I create this for myself, but I hope it can help anybody find here. I will update it from time to time.

1. Start Services in Background

docker compose up -d

• -d: Detached mode (run containers in the background).

2. Stop and Remove Containers/Networks

docker compose down

• Add -v to delete volumes:

docker compose down -v

3. Rebuild Images and Restart

docker compose up -d --build

• --build: Force rebuild of images before starting.

4. View Container Logs

docker compose logs

• Follow logs in real-time:

docker compose logs -f

5. List Running Containers

docker compose ps

• Show all containers (including stopped ones):

docker compose ps -a

6. Execute Commands in a Container

docker compose exec <service_name> <command>

• Example (access shell in a running container):

docker compose exec app sh

7. Validate Compose File

docker compose config

• Check syntax and merged configuration.

8. Pull Latest Images

docker compose pull

• Updates images defined in image fields of your docker-compose.yml.

9. Scale Specific Services

docker compose up -d --scale <service_name>=<num_instances>

• Example (run 3 instances of worker service):

docker compose up -d --scale worker=3

10. Restart Services

docker compose restart

• Target specific services:

docker compose restart <service_name>

Notes:

1. Replace <service_name> with your service's name from docker-compose.yml.
2. Commands assume docker-compose.yml exists in the current directory. Use -f <file_path> to specify a custom Compose file.
3. Commands are based on Docker Compose v2+.
4. Always check the official docs for updates.