Docker (Containers)

Docker is an open-source platform that enables developers to build, deploy, run, update and manage containers. Containers are executable, self-contained components. They combine application source code with the operating system (OS) libraries and dependencies required to run that code in any environment.

Containers include:

•   an application or tool
•   its runtime (e.g. Node.js, Python, Java)
•   all required libraries and dependencies
•   basic OS components needed to run it

All of this is bundled into a container image, that can be started anywhere that supports containers.

Basically:

• A Docker image is a template (the recipe).
• A container is a running instance of that image (the actual food).

Resources:

• Docker Reference
• Docker Documentation
• YouTube Video: Automated CI with Jenkins on Docker to Build Docker Images
• # Docker for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to Containers

Containers in Docs-as-Code

There are use cases for Docker containers in the Docs-as-Code approach for technical documentation.

Standardized Documentation Toolchains

Instead of asking contributors to install:

•   Node.js (specific version)
•   Python
•   MkDocs / Docusaurus
•   plugins and extensions

You provide a container: Docs = content + config Container = build environment

Everyone runs the same setup: docker run docs-site build 

Advantages:

•   No local setup
•   Fast onboarding
•   No tool version conflicts

CI/CD Integration (Automated Docs)

Docker images are commonly used in pipelines:

• GitHub Actions
• GitLab CI
• Azure DevOps 
• Jenkins

Example steps:

1.  Pull repository
2.  Start docs container
3.  Build docs
4.  Publish to hosting (GitHub Pages, Vercel, S3)

Advantages: Writers only interact with

•   Markdown
•   Pull requests

The container handles everything else.

Multiple Documentation Projects, One Machine

Containers allow multiple projects with different stacks to coexist. Each project has its own container. No global installs. No conflicts.

Documentation as a Service

Containers can be used to:

•   generate docs on demand
•   convert Markdown → HTML/PDF
•   validate docs (links, style, structure)
•   run custom linters or AI checks

Example:

•   User pushes content
•   Backend spins up a container
•   Output is stored or published

This keeps the platform:

•   modular
•   secure
•   easy to update