As a developer, inform me in case you relate to this – Docker instructions are straightforward to know however tough to use meaningfully. Out of the numerous tutorials that I adopted, most stopped at syntax, leaving me uncertain about what to construct subsequent. (Right here is an exception – A step-by-step Docker tutorial for full novices) As an answer, I made a decision to strive my hand at real-life Docker tasks, meant to present novices like me a style of the platform. I rapidly discovered that the quickest technique to perceive containers, photographs, networking, and Docker Compose is to construct small however sensible tasks that mirror actual utilization. With out hands-on tasks, Docker stays theoretical, regardless of what number of instructions you memorise.
On this article, I’ve tried to curate ten beginner-friendly Docker tasks which are easy to begin but spectacular sufficient to showcase actual abilities. Every venture focuses on a selected Docker idea and builds confidence step-by-step. These tasks aren’t random demos; they’re structured, sensible, and perfect for anybody seeking to strengthen their Docker fundamentals by way of hands-on studying.
So with none additional ado, listed below are the ten beginner-friendly Docker tasks you possibly can strive your arms on at present.
Class 1: Docker Fundamentals
These tasks for novices provide help to perceive core Docker ideas by working with easy, single-container setups.
Mission 1: Static Web site Internet hosting with Nginx
This venture is the only technique to see Docker in motion. You’ll take a primary static web site constructed utilizing HTML and CSS and serve it utilizing an Nginx container. As a substitute of putting in Nginx domestically, Docker handles every little thing inside an remoted atmosphere. This helps you perceive why containers are light-weight, transportable, and constant throughout techniques. You’ll write a primary Dockerfile, construct a picture, and run it as a container. By the tip of this venture, Docker will cease feeling summary and begin feeling sensible.
What you’ll be taught
- Writing a primary Dockerfile
- Constructing and operating Docker photographs
- Port mapping between the host and the container
Estimated period
45–60 minutes
GitHub Hyperlink
https://github.com/nishanttotla/DockerStaticSite
Mission 2: Private Portfolio Web site with Docker
On this venture, you’ll containerise a private portfolio web site and run it utilizing Docker. As a substitute of worrying about system dependencies or server configuration, Docker packages every little thing right into a single picture. This mirrors how real-world builders deploy frontend purposes throughout environments. You’ll copy web site information right into a container, configure a light-weight internet server, and expose it utilizing Docker. The venture reinforces how Docker ensures consistency between improvement and deployment, making it a powerful newbie venture with clear portfolio worth.
What you’ll be taught
- Creating Docker photographs for frontend purposes
- Understanding container file techniques
- Working containers persistently throughout environments
Estimated period
60–75 minutes
GitHub Hyperlink
https://github.com/ameyrupji-k8s/docker-nginx-static-html-demo
Mission 3: Easy Internet Server in Docker
This venture focuses on operating a primary internet server fully inside a Docker container. You’ll use a prebuilt server picture, configure it utilizing Docker directions, and expose it to your native machine. The aim is to know how Docker handles processes, ports, and runtime instructions. Not like static internet hosting, this venture introduces server configuration and container execution move. It provides you a transparent view of how purposes really begin and run inside containers, which is a vital idea earlier than transferring to multi-container setups.
What you’ll be taught
- Utilizing official Docker base photographs
- Understanding CMD and ENTRYPOINT
- Managing container lifecycle and ports
Estimated period
45–60 minutes
GitHub Hyperlink
https://github.com/Einsteinish/docker-nginx-hello-world
Class 2: Multi-Container Functions
These tasks for novices introduce Docker Compose and present how a number of containers work collectively as a single utility.
Mission 4: Dockerised To-Do Listing Utility
This venture introduces you to an actual multi-container setup utilizing Docker Compose. You’ll construct a easy To-Do utility the place the frontend and backend run in separate containers. As a substitute of managing every container manually, Docker Compose means that you can outline and run every little thing utilizing a single configuration file. This venture demonstrates how companies talk with one another inside a Docker community. It additionally displays real-world utility structure, the place completely different elements run independently however work collectively seamlessly.
What you’ll be taught
- Utilizing Docker Compose for multi-container apps
- Service-to-service communication
- Container networking fundamentals
Estimated period
75–90 minutes
GitHub Hyperlink
https://github.com/docker/getting-started-todo-app
Mission 5: Multi-Container Utility with Docker Compose
This venture builds on Docker Compose by introducing an utility with clear service dependencies. You’ll run a backend service alongside a supporting service equivalent to Redis or MySQL, all managed by way of a single Compose file. The main focus right here is on understanding how containers begin, join, and depend upon one another. You will note how Docker handles inner networking with out exposing every little thing to the skin world. This venture carefully resembles how backend techniques are structured in manufacturing environments.
What you’ll be taught
- Defining a number of companies in Docker Compose
- Managing service dependencies
- Inside container networking
Estimated period
90 minutes
GitHub Hyperlink
https://github.com/docker/awesome-compose
Mission 6: One Database Shared by A number of Containers
This venture focuses on information persistence and shared companies in Docker. You’ll arrange a single database container that’s accessed by a number of utility containers. This mirrors a standard real-world setup the place a number of companies depend on the identical information supply. The important thing takeaway right here is knowing how Docker volumes work and why containers themselves ought to stay stateless. As soon as accomplished, you’ll clearly see how Docker separates utility logic from persistent information.
What you’ll be taught
- Utilizing Docker volumes for information persistence
- Sharing companies throughout a number of containers
- Designing stateless containers
Estimated period
75–90 minutes
GitHub Hyperlink
The earlier GitHub venture additionally covers all elements for this one
https://github.com/docker/awesome-compose
Class 3: Actual-World App Deployments
These beginner-friendly tasks present how Docker is used to deploy in style, production-style purposes.
Mission 7: Dockerised WordPress Web site
This venture introduces you to deploying a broadly used, real-world utility utilizing Docker. You’ll run WordPress alongside a database container utilizing Docker Compose. As a substitute of manually configuring servers, Docker handles your entire setup by way of containers. This venture carefully mirrors what number of small companies and manufacturing groups deploy content material administration techniques at present. It additionally reinforces the concept that Docker is not only for builders, however for operating full purposes reliably throughout environments.
What you’ll be taught
- Deploying actual purposes with Docker Compose
- Managing atmosphere variables securely
- Connecting utility and database containers
Estimated period
90–120 minutes
GitHub Hyperlink
https://github.com/docker/awesome-compose/tree/grasp/wordpress-mysql
Mission 8: Easy Climate App in Docker
This venture focuses on containerising an API-driven utility. You’ll run a easy climate app that fetches information from a public API and serves it by way of an internet interface. Docker ensures the app runs persistently, no matter system setup. This venture introduces using atmosphere variables for API keys and configurations, which is widespread in actual deployments. It’s a nice bridge between primary containers and production-style purposes that depend on exterior companies.
What you’ll be taught
- Managing atmosphere variables in Docker
- Working API-based purposes in containers
- Dealing with exterior service configurations
Estimated period
60–90 minutes
Class 4: Docker Picture & Construct Abilities
These tasks for novices concentrate on how Docker photographs are constructed, optimised, and ready for actual deployments.
Mission 9: Create a Customized Docker Picture
This venture shifts focus from operating containers to understanding how Docker photographs are literally constructed. You’ll create a customized Docker picture from scratch for a easy utility. As a substitute of relying fully on prebuilt photographs, you’ll outline the bottom picture, set up dependencies, and configure runtime directions your self. This venture helps you perceive picture layers, caching, and why well-designed photographs matter for efficiency and maintainability. It’s a easy venture, however one which considerably deepens your Docker understanding.
What you’ll be taught
- Constructing customized Docker photographs
- Understanding picture layers and caching
- Writing clear and environment friendly Dockerfiles
Estimated period
60–75 minutes
Mission 10: Multi-Stage Docker Construct for a Node.js App
This venture introduces one of the essential Docker optimisation strategies utilized in manufacturing environments. You’ll construct a Node.js utility utilizing a multi-stage Docker construct, the place one stage handles improvement, and one other produces a light-weight manufacturing picture. This strategy drastically reduces picture dimension and improves safety. Though the idea sounds superior, the implementation is beginner-friendly and very invaluable. Finishing this venture provides you publicity to production-grade Docker practices that many novices by no means contact.
What you’ll be taught
- Utilizing multi-stage Docker builds
- Decreasing Docker picture dimension
- Separating construct and runtime environments
Estimated period
75–90 minutes
GitHub Hyperlink
https://github.com/thepeaklab/react-docker-multi-stage-example
Conclusion
Docker turns into highly effective solely once you cease studying about it and begin constructing with it. The tasks on this record are designed to do precisely that. Each focuses on an actual Docker idea, which takes you a lot farther than simply operating instructions for the sake of it. What I can promise you is that this – when you full these Docker tasks for novices, you progress from understanding containers in principle to utilizing them with confidence. You find out how purposes run, talk, scale, and persist information inside Docker. Extra importantly, you construct instinct, one thing you possibly can nearly by no means be taught from tutorials. End these tasks, and Docker will now not really feel like an additional software in your resume, however a ability you possibly can really use.
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