WORKDIR instruction for directory in Docker - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the WORKDIR instruction do in a Dockerfile?

WORKDIR sets the working directory for any RUN, CMD, ENTRYPOINT, COPY, and ADD instructions that follow it in the Dockerfile. It changes the current directory inside the container.

beginner

If the directory specified in WORKDIR does not exist, what happens?

Docker will create the directory automatically before setting it as the working directory.

intermediate

How does WORKDIR affect the path for subsequent instructions in a Dockerfile?

After setting WORKDIR, all relative paths in following instructions are based on this directory, making file operations easier and clearer.

intermediate

Can you use multiple WORKDIR instructions in a Dockerfile? What happens?

Yes, you can use multiple WORKDIR instructions. Each one changes the working directory from the previous one. If a relative path is given, it is relative to the current WORKDIR.

intermediate

Example: What is the working directory after these instructions? WORKDIR /app WORKDIR logs

The final working directory is /app/logs because the second WORKDIR 'logs' is relative to the first '/app'.

What does the WORKDIR instruction do in a Dockerfile?

A Exposes a port for the container

B Copies files into the container

C Sets the working directory for following instructions

D Runs a command inside the container

WORKDIR sets the directory where commands run inside the container.

If the directory in WORKDIR does not exist, what does Docker do?

A Throws an error and stops building

B Uses the root directory instead

C Ignores the instruction

D Creates the directory automatically

Docker creates the directory if it does not exist.

What is the working directory after these instructions? WORKDIR /usr WORKDIR local

A /usr/local

B /local

C /usr

D /

The second WORKDIR is relative, so it becomes /usr/local.

Can you use multiple WORKDIR instructions in one Dockerfile?

A No, only one WORKDIR is allowed

B Yes, each changes the working directory

C Yes, but only the first one works

D No, it causes a build error

Multiple WORKDIR instructions are allowed and update the directory.

Which instruction uses the current WORKDIR as base for relative paths?

A All of the above

B RUN

C WORKDIR

D COPY

All these instructions use the current WORKDIR for relative paths.

Explain what the WORKDIR instruction does and why it is useful in a Dockerfile.

Think about how commands run inside the container.

Describe what happens when you use multiple WORKDIR instructions with relative paths in a Dockerfile.

Consider how paths combine step by step.