Docker Image Optimization

Docker Image Optimization: A Comprehensive Guide

This collection provides a thorough exploration of Docker image optimization techniques, focusing on reducing image size, improving build performance, and implementing effective caching strategies. The documents cover fundamental concepts from basic optimization methods to advanced multi-stage builds and registry-backed caching.

Key themes include:

• Size reduction techniques: Using minimal base images (Alpine, distroless), multi-stage builds, and layer minimization can achieve 80-95% size reductions
• Base image selection: Understanding the trade-offs between Alpine (5.59MB), slim variants, and full distributions like Debian (Bullseye, Bookworm) and Ubuntu (Noble, Jammy)
• Build optimization: Leveraging Docker BuildKit, proper layer ordering, .dockerignore files, and caching strategies
• Production considerations: Implementing non-editable installs, bytecode compilation, and security-focused distroless images
• CI/CD integration: Advanced caching strategies in GitHub Actions using registry backends and inline caches

The collection demonstrates practical approaches to transform bloated 1GB+ images into lean 50-100MB production-ready containers while maintaining functionality and improving deployment speed.