How to Install Docker Compose: Step-by-Step Guide

To install docker compose, download the official binary from Docker's GitHub releases and place it in your system's /usr/local/bin directory, then make it executable with chmod +x. Alternatively, if you have Docker Desktop, docker compose is included by default.

Syntax

The basic syntax to install Docker Compose involves downloading the binary file, moving it to a directory in your system's PATH, and setting the right permissions.

• curl -L [URL] -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose: Downloads the Docker Compose binary.
• chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose: Makes the binary executable.
• docker compose version: Checks the installed version to confirm installation.

bash

sudo curl -L https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/latest/download/docker-compose-linux-x86_64 -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
docker compose version

Output

Docker Compose version v2.x.x

Example

This example shows how to install Docker Compose on a Linux system by downloading the latest binary, making it executable, and verifying the installation.

bash

sudo curl -L https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/latest/download/docker-compose-linux-x86_64 -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
docker compose version

Output

Docker Compose version v2.20.2

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when installing Docker Compose include:

• Not using sudo when moving the binary to /usr/local/bin, causing permission errors.
• Forgetting to make the binary executable with chmod +x.
• Using the old docker-compose command instead of the new docker compose plugin syntax.
• Not verifying the architecture of your system and downloading the correct binary.

bash

Wrong (missing executable permission):

sudo curl -L https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/latest/download/docker-compose-linux-x86_64 -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
# forgot chmod +x

docker compose version

Right:

sudo curl -L https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/latest/download/docker-compose-linux-x86_64 -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

docker compose version

Quick Reference

Summary tips for installing Docker Compose:

• Use the latest release from Docker Compose GitHub.
• Ensure you download the binary matching your OS and architecture.
• Use docker compose (space) command, not the legacy docker-compose (hyphen).
• If you use Docker Desktop on Windows or Mac, Docker Compose is pre-installed.

Key Takeaways

Download the official Docker Compose binary matching your system architecture.

Place the binary in /usr/local/bin and make it executable with chmod +x.

Use the new 'docker compose' command syntax instead of 'docker-compose'.

Verify installation by running 'docker compose version'.

Docker Desktop users already have Docker Compose installed by default.