Docker Extensions

Types of Extensions

• Development tools: IDE integrations, code formatters, and language-specific assistants that help with container-based development
• Debugging utilities: Tools for troubleshooting container issues, inspecting runtime state, and analyzing performance bottlenecks
• Security scanners: Vulnerability scanners, compliance checkers, and secret detection tools to ensure container security
• Database managers: GUI interfaces for managing database containers, viewing data, and executing queries
• Kubernetes tools: Extensions for visualizing, managing, and deploying to Kubernetes clusters
• Monitoring solutions: Performance monitoring, resource tracking, and visualization dashboards for containers

Benefits

• Streamlined workflows: Combine multiple tools in a single interface for smoother development processes
• Integrated tooling: Access specialized tools without leaving Docker Desktop or installing separate applications
• Reduced context switching: Accomplish more tasks within Docker Desktop, minimizing the need to switch between applications
• Enhanced productivity: Save time with purpose-built tools designed specifically for container workflows
• Customized Docker experience: Tailor Docker Desktop to your specific development needs and preferences
• Simplified onboarding: Easier adoption of Docker best practices through guided experiences and templates
• Standardized environments: Create consistent tooling across development teams

Development Extensions

• Dev Environments: Create, share, and manage reproducible development environments
  # Create a dev environment from a Git repository
  docker dev-environments create --repo https://github.com/username/project
  

• Language-specific tools: Tailored assistance for Node.js, Python, Java, Go, and other languages
  # Node.js development container example
  services:
    node-dev:
      image: node:16
      volumes:
        - ./:/app
      working_dir: /app
      command: npm run dev
  

• API clients: Test and document APIs directly from Docker Desktop
  # Install Postman extension for API testing
  docker extension install postman/docker-extension
  

• Database managers: GUI tools for MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, and other database systems
  # Example: MongoDB database manager
  docker extension install mongodb/mongodb-atlas
  

• Source control integrations: GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket integration for container-based workflows
  # Push container image to GitHub Container Registry
  docker extension install github/docker-extension
  

Monitoring Extensions

• Resource monitoring: Real-time CPU, memory, network, and disk usage visualization
  # Install resource monitoring extension
  docker extension install docker/resource-usage-extension
  

• Container health checking: Automated health checks with alerting for container issues
  # Container health check configuration
  healthcheck:
    test: ["CMD", "curl", "-f", "http://localhost/health"]
    interval: 30s
    timeout: 10s
    retries: 3
  

• Log visualization: Advanced log searching, filtering, and analysis tools
  # Aggregate and visualize logs from multiple containers
  docker extension install logdna/logdna-extension
  

• Performance tracking: Identify bottlenecks and performance issues in containerized applications
  # Track network performance between containers
  docker extension install network-analyzer
  

• Metrics dashboards: Customizable dashboards for monitoring container metrics
  # Create Prometheus/Grafana dashboards for container metrics
  docker extension install grafana/grafana-dashboard
  

Security Extensions

• Vulnerability scanning: Identify security vulnerabilities in container images
  # Scan images for vulnerabilities
  docker extension install snyk/snyk-container
  # Example output: Found 24 vulnerabilities (7 critical, 10 high, 7 medium)
  

• Image security analysis: Deep inspection of image layers and configuration for security issues
  # Analyze image security posture
  docker extension install docker/scout-extension
  

• Secret detection: Find and alert on hardcoded secrets in container images
  # Detect secrets in images
  docker extension install secretscanner/docker-extension
  

• Compliance checking: Verify containers against CIS benchmarks and security standards
  # Check compliance with security standards
  docker extension install aquasec/trivy-extension
  

• Policy enforcement: Implement and enforce security policies across container deployments
  # Enforce policies like "no privileged containers"
  docker extension install policy-manager
  

Frontend Components

• React-based UI: Modern React framework for building interactive interfaces
  // Example React component using Docker UI library
  import { Button, Typography, Select } from '@docker/extension-ui-components';
  
  function ContainerManager() {
    const [containers, setContainers] = useState([]);
    const [selectedContainer, setSelectedContainer] = useState('');
    
    useEffect(() => {
      // Fetch containers from backend
      fetchContainers().then(setContainers);
    }, []);
    
    return (
      <div>
        <Typography variant="h4">Container Manager</Typography>
        <Select
          label="Select Container"
          value={selectedContainer}
          onChange={(e) => setSelectedContainer(e.target.value)}
          options={containers.map(c => ({ label: c.name, value: c.id }))}
        />
        <Button onClick={() => restartContainer(selectedContainer)}>
          Restart Container
        </Button>
      </div>
    );
  }
  

• Docker Desktop design system: Consistent styling with Docker Desktop's UI
  // Theme integration with Docker Desktop
  import { createDockerDesktopTheme, ThemeProvider } from '@docker/extension-ui-components';
  
  const theme = createDockerDesktopTheme();
  
  function App() {
    return (
      <ThemeProvider theme={theme}>
        <MyExtensionContent />
      </ThemeProvider>
    );
  }
  

• Built-in component library: Pre-built UI components for common patterns
  // Built-in components for consistent UX
  import { 
    Table, 
    TableHead, 
    TableRow, 
    TableCell, 
    TableBody,
    Card,
    Alert,
    Tabs,
    Tab
  } from '@docker/extension-ui-components';
  

• Responsive layouts: Adaptable interfaces for different screen sizes
  // Responsive grid layout
  import { Grid, Box } from '@docker/extension-ui-components';
  
  function Dashboard() {
    return (
      <Grid container spacing={2}>
        <Grid item xs={12} md={6}>
          <Box p={2}>
            <MetricsPanel />
          </Box>
        </Grid>
        <Grid item xs={12} md={6}>
          <Box p={2}>
            <ControlPanel />
          </Box>
        </Grid>
      </Grid>
    );
  }
  

• Dark/light mode support: Automatic theme adaptation
  // Theme-aware styling
  import { useTheme } from '@docker/extension-ui-components';
  
  function ThemedComponent() {
    const theme = useTheme();
    return (
      <div style={{ 
        background: theme.palette.background.default,
        color: theme.palette.text.primary 
      }}>
        Content adapts to light/dark mode
      </div>
    );
  }
  

Backend Services

• Containerized services: Backend logic runs in separate containers
  # Backend Dockerfile
  FROM golang:1.19-alpine AS builder
  WORKDIR /app
  COPY go.* ./
  RUN go mod download
  COPY . .
  RUN go build -o extension-backend
  
  FROM alpine
  COPY --from=builder /app/extension-backend /usr/local/bin/
  ENTRYPOINT ["extension-backend"]
  

• API endpoints: RESTful or GraphQL APIs for frontend communication
  // Example Go backend with REST API
  func main() {
    r := mux.NewRouter()
    r.HandleFunc("/api/containers", getContainers).Methods("GET")
    r.HandleFunc("/api/containers/{id}/restart", restartContainer).Methods("POST")
    
    log.Fatal(http.ListenAndServe(":8080", r))
  }
  

• Docker CLI integration: Execute Docker commands from the backend
  // Execute Docker commands from Go
  func restartContainer(id string) error {
    cmd := exec.Command("docker", "restart", id)
    return cmd.Run()
  }
  

• Host system interaction: Access local resources when needed
  // Read host system information
  func getSystemInfo() (map[string]interface{}, error) {
    info := make(map[string]interface{})
    
    // Get host memory info
    memInfo, err := mem.VirtualMemory()
    if err != nil {
      return nil, err
    }
    info["memory"] = memInfo
    
    // Get CPU info
    cpuInfo, err := cpu.Info()
    if err != nil {
      return nil, err
    }
    info["cpu"] = cpuInfo
    
    return info, nil
  }
  

• Docker daemon communication: Direct interaction with the Docker API
  // Use Docker SDK to interact with daemon
  func getContainers() ([]types.Container, error) {
    cli, err := client.NewClientWithOpts(client.FromEnv)
    if err != nil {
      return nil, err
    }
    
    return cli.ContainerList(context.Background(), types.ContainerListOptions{
      All: true,
    })
  }
  

Marketplace Submission

• Create a Docker Hub account: Required for official publishing
  # Sign up at hub.docker.com
  # Verify email address
  # Set up two-factor authentication for security
  

• Prepare extension documentation: Create comprehensive usage documentation
  # My Docker Extension
  
  ## Features
  - Feature 1: Description and screenshots
  - Feature 2: Description and screenshots
  
  ## Installation
  ```bash
  docker extension install myname/my-extension:latest
  

  Usage

  1. Open Docker Desktop
  2. Navigate to the extension tab
  3. ...

  Configuration

  
  The extension supports the following configuration options...

  Troubleshooting

  
  Common issues and solutions...

• Submit for review: Follow official submission process
  # Prepare submission package
  docker extension prepare-submission myname/my-extension:latest
  
  # Submit through Docker Extension Marketplace portal
  # Provide:
  # - Extension source code or link to repository
  # - Documentation
  # - Test account if needed
  # - Contact information
  

• Address feedback: Iterate based on review comments
  # Common feedback areas:
  # - Security concerns
  # - UI/UX improvements
  # - Documentation clarity
  # - Performance issues
  # - Compliance with Docker Extension guidelines
  

• Publish to marketplace: Final step after approval
  # Once approved, publish using:
  docker extension publish myname/my-extension:1.0.0
  
  # Update listing with release notes:
  docker extension publish myname/my-extension:1.0.1 \
    --release-notes "Fixed bug in container view, improved performance"
  

Private Distribution

• Build extension image: Create a distributable package
  # Build extension
  docker build -t company-registry.com/extensions/my-extension:1.0.0 .
  
  # Create a versioned tarball for distribution
  docker save company-registry.com/extensions/my-extension:1.0.0 -o my-extension-1.0.0.tar
  

• Push to private registry: Store in your organization's registry
  # Log in to private registry
  docker login company-registry.com
  
  # Push extension image
  docker push company-registry.com/extensions/my-extension:1.0.0
  
  # Tag as latest for convenience
  docker tag company-registry.com/extensions/my-extension:1.0.0 company-registry.com/extensions/my-extension:latest
  docker push company-registry.com/extensions/my-extension:latest
  

• Share installation instructions: Create internal documentation
  # Installing My Extension
  
  ## Prerequisites
  - Docker Desktop 4.12.0 or later
  - Access to company registry
  
  ## Installation Steps
  1. Ensure you're logged into the company registry:
     ```bash
     docker login company-registry.com
  

  2. Install the extension:
     docker extension install company-registry.com/extensions/my-extension:latest
     

  3. Verify installation:
     docker extension ls
     

• Provide configuration details: Document setup requirements
  ## Configuration
  
  ### Environment Variables
  The extension uses the following environment variables:
  - `MY_API_KEY`: API key for the internal service
  - `SERVICE_URL`: URL of the backend service
  
  ### Permissions
  This extension requires:
  - Read access to containers
  - Write access to volumes
  - Network access to internal services
  
  ### Setup Instructions
  1. Generate an API key in the internal portal
  2. Configure the key in Docker Desktop settings
  3. Restart the extension
  

• Support documentation: Create troubleshooting resources
  ## Troubleshooting
  
  ### Common Issues
  
  #### Extension not loading
  Check Docker Desktop logs at `~/Library/Logs/Docker Desktop`
  
  #### Authentication failures
  Verify your API key is correctly configured
  
  ### Support Contacts
  - Internal Slack: #docker-extension-support
  - Email: extension-support@company.com
  - Issue tracker: https://internal-jira.company.com/projects/EXT
  

Common Issues

• Extension not appearing after installation:
  • Caused by installation failures, incompatible Docker Desktop versions, or UI loading issues
  • Check installation logs for errors
  • Verify extension compatibility with your Docker Desktop version
• UI rendering problems:
  • May result from JavaScript errors, CSS conflicts, or React version mismatches
  • Often appears as blank screens or broken layouts
  • Can be related to theme compatibility issues
• Backend connectivity issues:
  • Frontend unable to communicate with backend services
  • Network configuration problems or blocked ports
  • Backend service crashes or failed health checks
• Permission problems:
  • Insufficient permissions to access Docker API
  • Missing access to host filesystem or resources
  • Security restrictions preventing extension operation
• Resource constraints:
  • Extension consuming excessive CPU or memory
  • Docker Desktop resource limits too restrictive
  • Background processes causing performance degradation
• Version compatibility:
  • Extension developed for different Docker Desktop API version
  • Outdated extensions not compatible with newer Docker Desktop
  • Deprecated APIs or features no longer available

Solutions

# Restart Docker Desktop to reload extensions
docker desktop restart
# This refreshes the extension system and often resolves UI issues

# Check extension logs for detailed error information
docker extension logs extension-name
# Look for error messages, exceptions, or connectivity issues

# Check extension status
docker extension ls
# Verify the extension is properly installed and enabled

# Reinstall extension to resolve corruption issues
docker extension rm extension-name
docker extension install extension-name
# Use --force if extension removal is stuck

# Update extension to the latest version
docker extension update extension-name
# May resolve compatibility issues with newer Docker Desktop

# Check Docker Desktop logs for system-level issues
docker desktop diagnose
# Generates a diagnostic bundle with comprehensive logs

# View backend container logs directly
docker logs $(docker ps --filter "label=com.docker.desktop.extension=extension-name" -q)
# Useful for debugging backend service issues

# Increase Docker Desktop resources
# In Docker Desktop > Settings > Resources
# Allocate more memory/CPU if extensions are resource-intensive

# Test in isolation
docker extension disable --all
docker extension enable extension-name
# Determines if other extensions are causing conflicts

Upcoming Features

• Enhanced API capabilities: Expanded Docker Desktop APIs for deeper integration
  // Example future API capabilities
  docker.hostFileSystem.selectDirectory()  // File system access API
  docker.networking.createTunnel()         // Network tunneling API
  docker.containers.debug()                // Advanced debugging API
  docker.extensions.share()                // Extension sharing API
  

• Improved performance: Faster loading and more efficient resource usage
  // Progressive loading pattern for better performance
  function ExtensionApp() {
    const [loaded, setLoaded] = useState(false);
    
    useEffect(() => {
      // Load essential UI immediately
      // Then lazy-load heavier components
      import('./LazyLoadedComponents').then(() => {
        setLoaded(true);
      });
    }, []);
    
    return (
      <>
        <CoreUI />
        {loaded && <AdvancedFeatures />}
      </>
    );
  }
  

• More integration options: Expanded ecosystem connections
  // Broader integration capabilities
  // Future extensions might integrate with:
  // - Code scanning and quality tools
  // - ML model training and deployment
  // - IoT device management
  // - Edge computing frameworks
  // - Service mesh visualization
  

• Cross-platform extensions: Better support across operating systems
  // Unified cross-platform API
  function getPlatformPath() {
    const platform = window.ddClient.host.platform; // 'darwin', 'win32', 'linux'
    
    const paths = {
      darwin: '/Users/shared/data',
      win32: 'C:\\ProgramData\\DockerExtension',
      linux: '/var/lib/docker-extension'
    };
    
    return paths[platform];
  }
  

• AI-powered extensions: Intelligent assistance for container workflows
  // AI capabilities for extensions
  async function suggestOptimizations(dockerfile) {
    const response = await fetch('https://api.extension.ai/analyze', {
      method: 'POST',
      body: JSON.stringify({ dockerfile })
    });
    
    return await response.json();
    // Returns suggestions like:
    // - Multi-stage build optimizations
    // - Security improvements
    // - Size reduction opportunities
    // - Performance enhancements
  }
  

Community Growth

• Open source extension libraries: Shared components and utilities
  // Example community library
  import { ContainerSelector, LogViewer, ResourceMonitor } from '@docker-community/extension-components';
  
  function MyExtension() {
    return (
      <div>
        <ContainerSelector onChange={handleContainerSelect} />
        <ResourceMonitor containerId={selectedContainer} />
        <LogViewer containerId={selectedContainer} />
      </div>
    );
  }
  

• Community-driven marketplace: User ratings and extension discovery
  // Extension manifest with community metadata
  {
    "name": "community-extension",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "community": {
      "author": "community-developer",
      "stars": 4.5,
      "downloads": 12500,
      "tags": ["monitoring", "visualization", "open-source"],
      "repository": "https://github.com/user/community-extension"
    }
  }
  

• Extension development workshops: Educational resources
  # Docker Extension Workshop
  
  ## Sessions
  1. Setting up your development environment
  2. Creating your first extension
  3. Advanced backend services
  4. Publishing and distribution
  5. Community contribution guidelines
  
  ## Hands-on exercises
  - Build a container health dashboard
  - Create a development workflow extension
  - Implement a multi-container orchestration UI
  

• Best practice sharing: Standardized patterns and approaches
  // Best practice: Extension state management
  import { createExtensionStore } from '@docker-community/extension-store';
  
  const store = createExtensionStore({
    containers: [],
    selectedContainer: null,
    isLoading: false
  });
  
  // React hook for accessing store
  function useExtensionStore() {
    return store;
  }
  

• Collaborative development: Joint projects and shared governance
  # Collaborative extension governance example
  governance:
    maintainers:
      - organization: Docker
        members: [maintainer1, maintainer2]
      - organization: Community
        members: [contributor1, contributor2]
    
    decision_process: "Majority vote from maintainers"
    contribution_guidelines: "CONTRIBUTING.md"
    roadmap: "https://github.com/org/extension/projects/roadmap"
  

Documentation

• Docker Extensions Documentation: Comprehensive guides on creating, publishing, and using extensions
  # Quick start from docs
  # 1. Initialize a new extension project
  docker extension init my-extension
  
  # 2. Build the extension
  docker build -t my-extension:latest .
  
  # 3. Install for development
  docker extension install my-extension:latest
  

• Extension SDK Reference: Detailed API documentation and capabilities
  // Example from SDK documentation
  import { createDockerDesktopClient } from '@docker/extension-api-client';
  
  const client = createDockerDesktopClient();
  
  function listContainers() {
    return client.docker.listContainers();
  }
  
  function getExtensionContext() {
    return client.extension.getContext();
  }
  

• UI Component Library: Reference for built-in React components
  // Component library examples
  import { 
    Button, 
    TextField, 
    Select, 
    Table, 
    Typography, 
    Tooltip 
  } from '@docker/extension-ui-components';
  
  function MyExtensionUI() {
    return (
      <div>
        <Typography variant="h4">My Extension</Typography>
        <TextField label="Container Name" />
        <Button variant="contained">Create Container</Button>
      </div>
    );
  }
  

• Extension Tutorials: Step-by-step guides for specific extension types
  # Follow tutorial steps
  # Example: Creating a React + Go extension
  mkdir my-react-go-extension
  cd my-react-go-extension
  docker extension init --name my-react-go-extension --template react-go
  

• Extension Samples Repository: Reference implementations
  # Clone sample repository
  git clone https://github.com/docker/extensions-sdk.git
  cd extensions-sdk/samples
  
  # Explore different extension types
  ls -la
  # - react-extension/
  # - golang-extension/
  # - flask-extension/
  # - vm-ui-extension/
  

Community

• Docker Community Forums: Discussion and support for extension developers
  # Popular forum categories
  - Extension Development
  - Extension Feature Requests
  - Troubleshooting
  - Extension Showcase
  

• Docker GitHub: Source code and issue tracking
  # Fork the extensions-sdk repository
  git clone https://github.com/docker/extensions-sdk.git
  
  # Create a new branch for your contribution
  git checkout -b feature/my-contribution
  
  # Submit pull requests for improvements
  

• Docker Discord: Real-time community support
  # Key Discord channels
  - #extension-developers
  - #extension-showcase
  - #desktop-extensions-help
  

• Docker Extension Workshop: Hands-on training materials
  # Workshop topics
  - Setting up development environment
  - Creating your first extension
  - Advanced backend services
  - Publishing your extension
  

• DockerCon Sessions: Conference presentations on extensions
  # Recent presentations
  - "Building Docker Extensions: Best Practices"
  - "Extending Docker Desktop for Enterprise Workflows"
  - "From Development to Production with Docker Extensions"