> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://stakpak.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://stakpak.gitbook.io/docs/how-it-works/rulebooks/dockerization.md).

# Dockerization

## Introduction

This rulebook defines Stakpak’s standard procedure for securely and efficiently containerizing applications, ensuring maintainable deployments through:

* Analysis
* Documentation
* Security best practices.

## Goal

### Why did we make this rule book?

* To avoid insecure or inconsistent Docker configurations
* To prevent inefficient builds and deployments
* To eliminate the lack of documentation during containerization

### What will you achieve?

* Reliable, production-ready containers
* Clear, repeatable workflows
* Reduced operational risk and faster delivery

### Who is this for?

Developers, DevOps engineers, and operations teams involved in building, deploying, or maintaining containerized applications

## Workflow

The Stakpak Agent follows this standardized process to containerize applications securely and efficiently, ensuring consistent results across environments.

1. Analyze: Review application structure, dependencies, and required external services.
2. Select Base Image: Choose official, minimal, and regularly updated images for security and performance.
3. Create Dockerfile: Implement multi-stage builds, run as a non-root user, and include health checks.
4. Configure Docker Compose: Define services, networks, volumes, environment variables, and secrets.
5. Build & Run: Build images with proper tags, use `.dockerignore`, start containers, and verify logs.
6. Verify Health: Test endpoints, confirm service connectivity, and monitor resource usage.
7. Clean Up: Remove unused containers, images, volumes, and clear build cache.
8. Document: Record environment variables, secrets, deployment steps, and troubleshooting notes.

## Use Cases

### Application Deployment

Follow a clear, step-by-step process to containerize new applications for different environments

### **Application Migration & Modernization**

Safely move applications from VMs, bare metal, or other platforms into Docker containers.

### Security Enhancement 

Apply industry best practices to harden containerized applications before release.

### Performance Optimization

Streamline build and deployment workflows to reduce resource usage and improve speed.

### Incident Prevention & Troubleshooting

Reduce operational risks and resolve issues faster by following a standardized workflow.

## References

* [docs.docker](https://docs.docker.com/)