> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://burkeholland.gitbook.io/vs-code-can-do-that/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://burkeholland.gitbook.io/vs-code-can-do-that/exercise-5-docker/dockerizing-an-application.md).

# Dockerizing an application

Containers are made up of images. Images contain your project and it's dependencies. 

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Exercise" %}

* Add a Dockerfile to the start project. The Dockerfile should do the following...
  * Include a base Node image
  * Copy all the project files into the image
  * Run an npm install
  * Expose port 3000
  * Run npm start
* Build the image
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Answer" %}

* Open the Command Palette (**Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P**)
* Select "Add Dockefiles to workspace"

![](/files/-Lm5k9ehyr0vtJqcloRd)

* Select the "start" project

![](/files/-Lm5kNgnZz-MyvIpclKp)

* Select "Node.js" from the prompt

![](/files/-Lm5kW5xSWtLZs8hLKPW)

* Enter "3000" in the prompt

![](/files/-Lm5kdiTNV98EX7NC8Qc)

* VS Code will add "Dockerfile", "docker-compose.yml" and "debug.docker-compose.yml" files to the project
* Open the "Dockerfile" in the "start" project
* Add two ENV variables, "API\_BASE" and "PORT"

```
FROM node:10.13-alpine
ENV NODE_ENV production
ENV API_BASE https://lifx-lamp-api.azurewebsites.net/api
ENV PORT 3000
WORKDIR /usr/src/app
COPY ["package.json", "package-lock.json*", "npm-shrinkwrap.json*", "./"]
RUN npm install --production --silent && mv node_modules ../
COPY . .
EXPOSE 3000
CMD npm start
```

* Open the Command Palette (**Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P**)
* Select "Docker Images: Build Image"

![](/files/-Lm5kztfOb6ykQWVN5dr)

* Select "start" as the workspace folder

![](/files/-Lm5lH52aZYdl5Q4XU2D)

* Take the default image tag

![](/files/-Lm5lNxLbtU21WKSWUQy)

* An integrated terminal instance will open and Docker will build the image

{% hint style="info" %}
Note that if you get an error saying "cannot connect to Docker daemon", make sure that Docker is installed and running on your machine.
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://burkeholland.gitbook.io/vs-code-can-do-that/exercise-5-docker/dockerizing-an-application.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.