How To: Install Docker on Debian 12 (Bookworm)

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How To: Install Docker on Debian 12 (Bookworm)

This guide walks you through installing Docker Engine on Debian 12 using Docker’s official APT repository.

Prerequisites
- A server running Debian 12
- Root privileges or a user with sudo access

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Step 1: Update the System and Install Dependencies
Update the package index and install the tools needed to use Docker’s secure repository:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install ca-certificates curl -y

Step 2: Add Docker’s Official GPG Key
Add Docker’s official signing key:

sudo install -m 0755 -d /etc/apt/keyrings
sudo curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/debian/gpg -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc
sudo chmod a+r /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc

Step 3: Set Up the Docker Repository
Add Docker’s official stable repository to your APT sources:

echo \
"deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc] https://download.docker.com/linux/debian \
$(. /etc/os-release && echo "$VERSION_CODENAME") stable" | \
sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null

Step 4: Install Docker Engine and Compose
Update the package index, then install Docker Engine and the Docker Compose plugin:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin -y

Step 5: Verify the Installation
Check that the Docker service is running:

sudo systemctl status docker

Press `q` to exit the status view.

You can also test the installation by running the standard Hello World container:

sudo docker run hello-world

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Pro Tip: Run Docker Without Sudo (Optional)
By default, Docker commands require root privileges. To run Docker as your regular user, add the user to the docker group:

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

Log out and back in for the new group membership to take effect.

Security note: Membership of the docker group grants root-level privileges. Only add trusted users.