CLI Wiki

Stack Basics

Docker Stacks let you deploy multi-service applications using a single docker-compose.yml file in Swarm mode.

Requires Docker Swarm to be initialised with docker swarm init.

Deploy a Stack

docker stack deploy -c docker-compose.yml mystack

List Stacks

docker stack ls

List Services in a Stack

docker stack services mystack

List Tasks (containers) in a Stack

docker stack ps mystack

Remove a Stack

docker stack rm mystack

Example docker-compose.yml for Stack

version: '3.8'
services:
  web:
    image: nginx
    ports:
      - "80:80"
    deploy:
      replicas: 3
      restart_policy:
        condition: on-failure
      placement:
        constraints: [node.role == worker]

  db:
    image: mysql:8.0
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: password
    volumes:
      - db_data:/var/lib/mysql
    deploy:
      placement:
        constraints: [node.role == manager]

volumes:
  db_data:

Deploy This Stack

docker stack deploy -c docker-compose.yml mystack

Stack Tips

• Use deploy: section to define Swarm-specific settings (replicas, placement, restart policies, etc.)
• Avoid build: in production stacks — use pre-built images.
• Ensure all nodes have access to required networks, volumes, or images.
• Stacks do not support all docker compose features — e.g., no depends_on or condition: directives in Swarm.

Docker stack deployment vs Compose

Further Reading

• Docker Stack Guide

Docker Stack Cheat Sheet