Docker Tools Reference

Primary Tool

• •docker_bash for safe read/start/stop/restart/inspect/log/stat/version/info operations.

SDK Tools (structured operations)

• •run_container, pull_image, build_image, tag_image
• •create_network, create_volume, connect_to_network, disconnect_from_network
• •exec_in_container, compose_up, compose_down

Dangerous SDK Tools (HITL controlled)

• •remove_image, prune_images, remove_container
• •remove_network, remove_volume, prune_volumes, docker_system_prune

Workflow Rules

1. PRE-CHECK (MANDATORY)

Before creating any resource, verify it doesn't exist:

• •docker_bash(command="ps", args="-a") before run_container
• •docker_bash(command="network ls") before create_network
• •docker_bash(command="volume ls") before create_volume

2. PORT CONFLICTS

Check docker_bash(command="ps", args="-a") output for container/port conflicts.

• •If port taken: report conflict, don't proceed

3. NAME CONFLICTS

• •Container names must be unique
• •Network names must be unique
• •Volume names must be unique
• •If exists: reuse or suggest alternative

4. EXECUTION PATTERN

1. ASSESS: use docker_bash read/list commands to check current state
2. PLAN: identify gaps
3. EXECUTE: create only what's missing
4. DONE: report, don't re-verify

5. ERROR HANDLING

• •docker_bash output starting with Error: = failure
• •docker_bash output not starting with Error: = success
• •SDK tool JSON with "success": false = failure
• •SDK tool JSON with "success": true = success
• •Truncated output = normal, not error

Anti-Patterns (DO NOT DO)

• •Re-listing after successful create
• •Spawning containers for HTTP checks
• •Retrying with identical arguments
• •Creating without pre-checking