Skip to content

Docker Compose Labs

Lab Overview

Welcome to the hands-on Docker Compose labs! This comprehensive series of 17 labs guides you from basic setup through advanced topics like multi-network architecture, Helm charts, live reload, reusable configuration fragments, environment-aware profiles, init containers, variable substitution, merge strategies, integration testing, secrets management, and local development workflows.

Available Labs

# Lab Difficulty Description
1 001 - Introduction Beginner Install Docker Compose and understand core concepts
2 002 - Compose Demo Beginner Multi-service app with web, app, and database tiers
3 002 - Structure Intermediate Complete docker-compose.yml syntax reference
4 003 - Commands Intermediate Master the Docker Compose CLI
5 004 - Compose to Helm Advanced Package Compose apps as Helm charts for Kubernetes
6 005 - Advanced Features Advanced extends, YAML anchors, and modular configs
7 006 - Watch Intermediate Live reload and file synchronization
8 007 - Networks Advanced Multi-network architecture with DMZ and security zones
9 008 - Advanced Topics Advanced Profiles, secrets, configs, resource limits, logging, init, variable substitution, merge, include
10 009 - Fragments Advanced Reusable fragments: logging, resources, healthchecks, networks, secrets, security, profiles
11 010 - Profiles Intermediate Environment-aware service management with Docker Compose profiles
12 011 - Init Containers Advanced Startup orchestration with init containers and healthcheck chains
13 012 - Variable Substitution Intermediate Environment variable substitution, defaults, and mandatory values
14 013 - Merge & Override Intermediate Multi-file merge strategies and override patterns
15 014 - Integration Testing Advanced Automated integration testing with Compose exit codes
16 015 - Secrets & Configs Advanced Secure secrets and configuration management
17 016 - Dev Workflows Intermediate Local development hot-reload, profiles, and CI pipelines

Learning Paths

Beginner Path

Start here if you’re new to Docker Compose:

  1. Lab 001: Introduction
  2. Lab 002: Compose Demo
  3. Lab 002: Structure

Intermediate Path

For those comfortable with Docker Compose basics:

  1. Lab 003: Commands
  2. Lab 006: Watch
  3. Lab 012: Variable Substitution
  4. Lab 013: Merge & Override
  5. Lab 016: Dev Workflows

Advanced Path

For experienced engineers:

  1. Lab 004: Compose to Helm
  2. Lab 005: Advanced Features
  3. Lab 007: Networks
  4. Lab 008: Advanced Topics
  5. Lab 009: Fragments
  6. Lab 010: Profiles
  7. Lab 011: Init Containers
  8. Lab 014: Integration Testing
  9. Lab 015: Secrets & Configs

Tips for Success

  • Take your time: Don’t rush through the labs - understanding beats speed
  • Experiment: Modify the compose files and observe the changes
  • Break and fix: Intentionally break a service, then debug using docker compose logs
  • Read the config: Use docker compose config to see the resolved configuration
  • Clean up: Always run docker compose down after each lab

Get Started

Ready to begin? Start with Lab 001: Introduction!