| title |
notoc |
| Reference documentation |
true |
This section includes the reference documentation for the Docker platform's
various APIs, CLIs, and file formats.
File formats
| File format |
Description |
| Dockerfile |
Defines the contents and startup behavior of a single container |
| Compose file |
Defines a multi-container application |
Command-line interfaces (CLIs)
| CLI |
Description |
| Docker CLI |
The main CLI for Docker, includes all docker commands |
| Compose CLI |
The CLI for Docker Compose, which allows you to build and run multi-container applications |
| Daemon CLI (dockerd) |
Persistent process that manages containers |
| [DTR CLI](/reference/dtr/{{ site.dtr_version }}/cli/index.md) |
Deploy and manage Docker Trusted Registry |
| [UCP CLI](/reference/ucp/{{ site.ucp_version }}/cli/index.md) |
Deploy and manage Universal Control Plane |
Application programming interfaces (APIs)
| API |
Description |
| Engine API |
The main API for Docker, provides programmatic access to a daemon |
| [DTR API](/reference/dtr/{{ site.dtr_version }}/api/) |
Provides programmatic access to a Docker Trusted Registry deployment |
| Registry API |
Facilitates distribution of images to the engine |
| Template API |
Allows users to create new Docker applications by using a library of templates. |
| [UCP API](/reference/ucp/{{ site.ucp_version }}/api/) |
Provides programmatic access to a Universal Control Plane deployment |
Drivers and specifications
Compliance control reference
| Reference |
Description |
| NIST 800-53 control reference |
All of the NIST 800-53 Rev. 4 controls applicable to Docker Enterprise Edition can be referenced in this section. |