My take
Why I use Docker
Docker images are the universal unit of deployment. Multi-stage builds, slim base images, and consistent dev/prod environments are baseline practice now, and Docker remains the easiest path to those.
Want the broader stack philosophy? Read about how Sri picks tools or browse engineering insights.
Honest assessment
Strengths & tradeoffs
No tool is perfect. Here's what shines and what to watch for.
Strengths
- Reproducible build artifacts
- Multi-stage builds for slim images
- Compose for local multi-service setups
- Universal CI/CD compatibility
- Wide registry and base image ecosystem
Tradeoffs (honestly)
- Image bloat without disciplined Dockerfiles
- Docker Desktop licensing on enterprise
- Networking can be confusing on macOS/Windows
- Layer caching surprises in CI
Fit assessment
When to reach for Docker
Pick the right tool for the job.
Best fits
Standardizing dev environments
Building deployment artifacts
Microservice packaging
CI/CD test isolation
Multi-architecture builds with buildx
Not ideal for
Strict security environments preferring rootless alternatives (podman)
Tiny edge runtimes where WASM wins
Workloads better served by serverless directly
Common use cases
Resources
Learn more
Curated official docs, tutorials, and writing on Docker.
Services
Where I apply Docker
Engagements where this technology shows up regularly.
DevOps & Automation
Developer experience that compounds. I build the automation, tooling, and practices that let your team ship multiple times a day without fear.
Cloud Infrastructure
Modern cloud infrastructure designed for reliability, cost-efficiency, and developer velocity. From Kubernetes deployments to serverless architectures, I build platforms that teams love to ship on.
Case Studies
Docker in production
Real engagements where this technology shaped the outcome.
Browse the full case study archive.
Stack
Pairs well with Docker
Tools and platforms I commonly combine with this one.
Infrastructure
More in this category
Tools that define how systems run in production.
Need help with Docker?
Whether you're starting fresh or optimizing an existing implementation, I can help you get the most out of this technology. Read more in insights or get in touch.