dockerfile-containerization

name	dockerfile-containerization
description	Use to containerize an application with an optimized Dockerfile and docker-compose configuration. Activate for creating Docker images, multi-stage builds, or local development container setups. Do NOT use for Kubernetes manifests, CI/CD pipeline configuration, or cloud container service setup.
version	1.1.0
time_saved	Manual: 2–4 hours | With skill: 15–25 minutes
license	Proprietary — Personal Use Only
category	coding
complexity	Intermediate
tokens	~3000
tags	["docker","dockerfile","containerization","docker-compose","multi-stage-build"]
author	vheins

Skill: Dockerfile Containerization

Purpose

Generate optimized, production-ready container setups (Dockerfile + Compose) with health checks, signal handling, and multi-stage builds.

Input

Variable	Type	Req	Description
tech_stack	string	Yes	e.g., "Node.js + TypeScript"
app_description	string	Yes	Purpose, entry point, port, runtime needs
deployment_target	string	Yes	e.g., "AWS ECS", "Kubernetes", "Local"

Instructions

• Dockerfile: Use multi-stage builds. Optimize layer ordering (Copy deps BEFORE code). Include HEALTHCHECK, non-root users, and proper signal handling (exec form).
• Compose: Create a local development setup with volume mounts (hot reload), backing services (DB, cache), and environment injection. Use service_healthy dependencies.
• Optimization: Select minimal base images (Alpine/Slim/Distroless). Document size choices and excluded artifacts.
• Production: Provide target-specific notes on resource limits, secrets injection (no ENVs in Dockerfile), and logging (stdout/stderr).

Edge Cases

Case	Strategy
Compiled (Go/Rust)	Use scratch or distroless production stages for <20MB images.
Native Dependencies	Ensure build and production base images are compatible; copy binaries correctly.
Monorepo	Use build context filtering or separate Dockerfiles per service.

Container Logic

flowchart TD
    A([Start: tech_stack + app_description + deployment_target]) --> B{Compiled language?\nGo, Rust}
    B -- Yes --> C[Use scratch or distroless\nproduction stage\nimage < 20MB]
    B -- No --> D{Native dependencies?\nsharp, bcrypt, psycopg2}
    D -- Yes --> E[Ensure build + production stages\nuse compatible base images\ncopy native binaries correctly]
    D -- No --> F[Select base image:\nalpine vs slim vs distroless\nbased on size vs compatibility]
    C & E & F --> G[Multi-Stage Dockerfile\nBuild stage:\ninstall deps + compile/build\nLayer order: package files BEFORE source\nfor cache efficiency]
    G --> H[Production stage:\nMinimal base image\nOnly runtime artifacts\nNon-root user for security\nHEALTHCHECK instruction\nExec form CMD + tini for signals]
    H --> I[.dockerignore\nExclude: node_modules, .git\nbuild artifacts, .env files\ntest files, docs]
    I --> J{Monorepo?}
    J -- Yes --> K[Docker build context filtering\n--build-arg to select service\nor separate Dockerfiles per service]
    J -- No --> L
    K & L --> M[docker-compose.yml\nApp service + volume mounts for hot reload\nBacking services: DB, cache, queue\nEnv vars from .env file\nNamed volumes for persistent data\ndepends_on with service_healthy]
    M --> N[Image Size Optimization\nBase image rationale\nWhat excluded from production\nExpected final image size]
    N --> O[Production Considerations\nfor deployment_target:\nResource limits: CPU, memory\nSecrets injection: NOT via ENV in Dockerfile\nLogging: stdout/stderr for log drivers]
    O --> P([Output: Dockerfile + .dockerignore\n+ docker-compose.yml + Size optimization + Prod notes])

Examples

• Input Example
• Output Example

Quality Gate

1. Is the Dockerfile multi-stage?
2. Are layers optimized for caching?
3. Is a non-root user used?
4. Is the production image minimal?
5. is the Compose file runnable?

MCP Dependencies

• @upstash/context7-mcp: Library documentation and examples.

Changelog

Version	Date	Description
1.1.0	2026-03-20	Restructured: moved examples to examples/, references to references/, added compatibility and license fields
1.0.0	2026-03-20	Initial release