How to Run Ubuntu Locally Using Docker (Beginner Guide)

Introduction

Trying Ubuntu doesn't have to mean installing it on your system or setting up a virtual machine. With Docker, you can run Ubuntu locally in an isolated container environment in just a few minutes. This guide is designed for beginners who want to explore Ubuntu using Docker without modifying their system.

Prerequisites

• A computer with Windows, macOS, or Linux
• Docker installed (Download from https://www.docker.com )
• Basic familiarity with the command line (not required but helpful)

Step 1: Verify Docker Installation

To make sure Docker is installed correctly, open your terminal or command prompt and run:

docker --version

You should see something like:

Docker version 24.0.2, build cb74dfc

If you get an error, make sure Docker Desktop is running.

Step 2: Pull the Ubuntu Docker Image

Docker images are pre-built templates used to create containers. To download the latest Ubuntu image, run:

docker pull ubuntu

This command fetches the official Ubuntu image from Docker Hub.

Step 3: Run the Ubuntu Container

Now let’s run a container from the Ubuntu image:

docker run -it ubuntu

Here’s what the options mean:

• -it: Runs the container in interactive mode with a terminal
• ubuntu: The image to use

You’ll now be inside a shell running inside the Ubuntu container. Try typing:

ls

You’re in Ubuntu!

Step 4: Install Basic Tools (Optional)

Ubuntu containers are minimal by default. To install common utilities, use:

apt update
apt install nano curl iputils-ping -y

This gives you a simple text editor (nano), a downloader (curl), and the ping command.

Step 5: Exiting the Container

To leave the Ubuntu shell, type:

exit

The container will stop when you exit unless you run it with special flags (like --rm=false or --detach).

Step 6: List and Restart Containers

To see stopped containers:

docker ps -a

To restart a container by its ID:

docker start -ai <container_id>

To remove it:

docker rm <container_id>

Bonus: Create a Persistent Ubuntu Container

If you want your container to persist (so you can keep files or install packages long-term):

docker run -it --name myubuntu ubuntu

This names your container myubuntu, so you can start it later with:

docker start -ai myubuntu

Conclusion

That’s it! You’ve now learned how to run Ubuntu locally using Docker. It’s a safe and fast way to explore Linux, try out commands, or test software—without altering your main operating system.

For more tips, check out:

• Ubuntu Docker Hub
• Docker Docs

Happy experimenting!