Forget docker ps, LazyDocker is the Real Deal
As a developer, you’re likely no stranger to typing docker ps and scrolling endlessly to find a Container ID. Then comes the copy-pasting to view logs or inspect configurations. It’s fine for 1-2 containers, but as projects scale to 10-15 simultaneous microservices, this process starts to become a hassle.
I used to use Portainer because of its intuitive web interface. However, every time I wanted to quickly check a status, I had to open a browser and click through several menus. For someone who loves staying in the Terminal, Portainer can feel a bit bulky. That’s why I switched to LazyDocker – a Terminal UI (TUI) tool written in Go that lets you control Docker entirely via your keyboard.
LazyDocker doesn’t replace the traditional Docker CLI. It’s more like a smart wrapper designed to optimize your workflow. Instead of typing long commands, you just move your arrow keys. This approach saves about 15-20 minutes a day on basic administrative tasks.
How to Quickly Install LazyDocker
LazyDocker’s binary is extremely lightweight, around 10-15MB, so installation takes just a few seconds:
1. Install via Script (For Linux/macOS)
Just paste this command into your terminal and you’re done:
curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jesseduffield/lazydocker/master/scripts/install_update_linux.sh | bash2. Using Homebrew (For Mac users)
brew install jesseduffield/lazydocker/lazydocker3. Run directly with Docker (Keep your system clean)
If you don’t want to install it directly on your OS, you can run LazyDocker inside a container:
docker run --rm -it -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock -v ~/.config/lazydocker:/.config/jesseduffield/lazydocker lazyteam/lazydockerOnce installed, type lazydocker to launch the control interface.
Configuration and Mastering Hotkeys
The LazyDocker interface is divided into 4 management sections: Project, Containers, Images, and Volumes. Detailed information is displayed in the right panel.
Mastering Core Hotkeys
To triple your productivity, you should memorize these basic hotkeys:
up/down: Navigate between containers/images.enter: Enter the right panel (to scroll through logs).esc: Exit back to the left list panel.x: Open the Action Menu (everything from stop and restart to remove).p/s/r: Corresponding to Pause, Stop, and Restart container.E: Directly access the container’s shell (replacesdocker exec -it).
Customization via config.yml
LazyDocker allows deep customization at ~/.config/lazydocker/config.yml. I often add Custom Commands to clean up hung containers faster. You can also change the interface colors or adjust log time formats for better readability.
Inspection & Monitoring: Real-time Observation
The best part of LazyDocker is the ability to visually monitor the system without typing repetitive commands.
Monitor Stats (CPU/RAM)
Instead of staring at the dry tables of docker stats, just tab over to the Stats section. Here, ASCII charts will update in real-time. You’ll immediately spot which container is “hogging” 80-90% of RAM or CPU for timely intervention.
Professional Log Debugging
The Logs tab supports scrolling and searching exceptionally well. However, if the logs are a mess of 200-300 lines of long JSON, reading them in the Terminal can be eye-straining.
Pro Tip: When debugging JSON API responses, I quickly copy and paste them into toolcraft.app/en/tools/developer/json-formatter. This tool helps format the configuration perfectly, much faster than struggling with complex grep or jq commands.
System Cleanup (Pruning)
After a few weeks of work, “dangling” images can take up 5-10GB of disk space. In LazyDocker, just select the Images tab, press x, and choose Prune. The system will automatically clear the junk without you needing to remember the long docker system prune command.
Managing Docker Compose
For projects using Docker Compose, the Project tab groups services neatly. You can restart an entire cluster with just two keystrokes instead of specifying bothersome docker-compose.yml files.
Final Thoughts
LazyDocker isn’t rocket science, but it completely changes the Docker workflow. It frees me from repetitive CLI commands so I can focus on writing code. If you’re looking for a tool that’s both lightweight and professional for managing containers, give LazyDocker a try. Trust me, once you use it, you won’t want to go back to typing docker ps again!
