Docker build with custom Dockerfile name

Sometimes you may need two different Dockerfile for just a container, one for the development purpose and the other for the production environment.

To build an image with the Dockerfile that isn’t named Dockerfile, just add the -f flag and the name:

docker build -f [my-custom-dockerfile-name] [path] 

For example, I have a project whose file structure looks like this:

.
├── Dockerfile
├── Dockerfile.dev
├── docker-compose.yml
├── index.js
└── package.json

When using the Dockerfile.dev, I run:

docker build -f Dockerfile.dev .

When using the typical Dockerfile, I run:

docker build . 

Further reading:

• Docker: How to Retag an Image
• Start, Pause, Restart, Stop, and Delete a Docker Container
• How to Install Docker Compose on Ubuntu 21.04 and 21.10
• How to Check Docker Desktop and Docker Engine Versions
• Docker: How to List Running and Stopped Containers

You can also check out our Docker topic page for the latest tutorials, examples, tips, and tricks.