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Docker Containers

This guide explains how to use existing Docker containers and create custom ones for your Bacalhau workloads.

Prerequisites​

  1. Install the Bacalhau client
  2. Docker (for both building custom containers and running on compute nodes)

Understanding Docker Workloads in Bacalhau​

Bacalhau uses a syntax that closely resembles Docker, allowing you to utilize the same containers.

Example: Docker Command​

docker run alpine echo "Hello from Docker"

Equivalent Bacalhau Command​

bacalhau docker run alpine echo "Hello from Bacalhau"

Getting Job Results​

# View job logs
bacalhau job logs JOB_ID

# Get detailed job information
bacalhau job describe JOB_ID
Requirements for Docker Containers

Containers must be published to a registry that is accessible to your Bacalhau nodes

Creating a Custom Container​

Let's walk through creating a simple custom Docker container for Bacalhau.

Step 1: Create Your Container Files​

Create a simple Dockerfile:

FROM alpine:latest
RUN echo '#!/bin/sh\necho "Hello from $1"' > /usr/local/bin/greet && \
    chmod +x /usr/local/bin/greet

Step 2: Build and Test Your Container Locally​

Build your Docker image:

docker build -t your-registry/simple-greeter:latest .

Test it locally:

docker run --rm your-registry/simple-greeter:latest sh -c 'greet "Local Test"'

Step 3: Push Your Container to a Registry​

# For multi-architecture support (recommended)
docker buildx build --platform linux/amd64,linux/arm64 --push -t your-registry/simple-greeter:latest .

# For single architecture
docker push your-registry/simple-greeter:latest

Running Your Custom Container on Bacalhau​

Run your container on Bacalhau:

bacalhau docker run your-registry/simple-greeter:latest \
  sh -c 'greet "Bacalhau"'

View your job logs:

bacalhau job logs JOB_ID