Lazydocker is an open-source terminal-based user interface designed to make Docker management easier. Unlike traditional Docker CLI commands, which can be verbose and hard to memorize, Lazydocker presents containers, volumes, networks, images, and even Docker Compose stacks in an organized visual layout right within your terminal.
Lazydocker is written in Go and is maintained under active development. It allows developers to quickly:
- View real-time logs
- Monitor resource usage
- Restart or stop containers
- Inspect Docker objects
- Clean up unused images and volumes
Its interface is split into panels that reflect your running Docker environment, offering a lightweight but powerful dashboard without needing to open a browser.
Docker and Docker Compose Support
One of the standout features of Lazydocker is its support for both Docker and Docker Compose. While Docker alone is sufficient for running single-container applications, Docker Compose is often used to define and manage multi-container applications using a YAML configuration file.
Lazydocker recognizes this and provides interface elements that allow you to manage not only standalone containers but also complete Compose projects if Docker Compose is installed and present in your system path.
Do You Need Docker Compose to Use Lazydocker?
The Short Answer
No, you do not need Docker Compose installed to use Lazydocker. The tool works fully and independently with standard Docker environments. If your workflow consists only of managing individual containers, networks, volumes, or Docker images, then Lazydocker will provide all the features you need out of the box.
Core Features That Work Without Docker Compose
Even without Docker Compose, Lazydocker gives you access to powerful features such as:
- Viewing active and stopped containers
- Streaming live logs of running containers
- Starting, stopping, restarting, and removing containers
- Inspecting container details
- Browsing and removing Docker images
- Navigating networks and volumes
- Monitoring resource usage in real time
These functions cover most of the day-to-day Docker usage scenarios for developers, system admins, and DevOps teams.
When Is Docker Compose Needed in Lazydocker?
Understanding Docker Compose Projects
Docker Compose is commonly used to define and manage multi-container applications. A typical docker-compose.yml file might define a web server, a database, and a caching service — all connected via a single YAML file.
Lazydocker offers special interface features to manage these projects as cohesive units. You can use it to:
- Start or stop all services defined in a Compose file
- View logs of all services together or individually
- See the structure and status of multi-service environments
- Compose-Specific Panels and Views
When Docker Compose is installed and recognized by Lazydocker, an additional panel becomes available within the interface specifically for managing Compose services. This section displays:
Compose project names
Defined services
Status of each service
- Logs and resource usage per service
- These features are only accessible if the docker-compose command is available in your terminal.
How Lazydocker Behaves Without Docker Compose
Seamless Operation Without Compose
Lazydocker is built to detect whether Docker Compose is present. If it’s not, the application will simply hide Compose-related features and continue running as normal. This design ensures that users who are not working with Compose still get the full benefit of Lazydocker’s core features.
There will be no errors, failures, or blocked actions if Docker Compose is missing. Lazydocker is smart enough to adapt to the environment and show only what’s relevant.
Ideal Use Cases for Non-Compose Users
If your Docker usage consists of:
- Single container apps
- Scripts and manually started containers
- Image building and deployment pipelines
- Database or backend services running in isolation
- Then Lazydocker can serve as your full management interface without needing Docker Compose installed.
- Enabling Docker Compose Features in Lazydocker
Installing Docker Compose
To unlock Docker Compose functionality in Lazydocker, you need to ensure that Docker Compose is correctly installed on your system. Depending on your OS, this may vary:
- Linux/macOS: Compose is often included with Docker Desktop or can be installed via package managers.
- Windows: Use Docker Desktop or install via PowerShell or WSL if using Linux containers.
Verify installation with:
- docker-compose –version
Automatic Detection in Lazydocker
Once Docker Compose is installed, Lazydocker will automatically detect it the next time it runs. There’s no additional configuration required unless you want to customize behavior via the Lazydocker config file.
Compose projects located in your current working directory or its subfolders will appear in the Docker Compose panel, letting you start, stop, and inspect them through Lazydocker’s UI.
Configuring Lazydocker for Docker Compose
Default Behavior
By default, Lazydocker scans your project directory for a docker-compose.yml file. If found and Compose is installed, it will list the services defined within it. You can then:
- Use arrow keys to navigate through services
- View combined or individual logs
- Restart or rebuild services
- Inspect configuration and health status
Custom Configuration Options
Lazydocker provides a configuration file, typically located at ~/.config/lazydocker/config.yml, where you can customize:
Docker Compose command paths
Custom actions or shortcuts
UI layout preferences
Advanced users can configure specific behavior for different services or Compose projects, making Lazydocker adaptable to enterprise workflows or large team environments.
Benefits of Using Docker Compose with Lazydocker
Improved Productivity
Using Lazydocker with Docker Compose streamlines the process of managing complex environments. You no longer need to issue multiple commands like docker-compose up, docker-compose logs, or docker-compose stop — all of this is available at your fingertips in a single TUI.
Better Visualization
For teams managing microservices or distributed systems, Lazydocker’s Compose panel offers a high-level visualization of running services. This is especially helpful when troubleshooting or monitoring systems in development environments.
Centralized Control
Compose-enabled Lazydocker users gain centralized control over container lifecycles, logs, rebuilds, and dependency chains, making it easier to debug and deploy updates quickly.
Conclusion
- No, Docker Compose is not required to use Lazydocker for standard Docker operations.
- Lazydocker provides full functionality for containers, images, volumes, and networks out of the box.
- Yes, Docker Compose is optional but required to unlock management of multi-service Compose projects directly from the Lazydocker UI.
- This makes Lazydocker a flexible tool — equally suitable for developers who work on simple apps and those managing large, containerized environments.
Explore More on the Official Website
To stay updated on new features, installation methods, and detailed configuration options, you can explore the official Lazydocker documentation and homepage:
🔗 https://lazydocker.com
Lazydocker continues to evolve and is supported by an active community. Whether you use Docker Compose or not, it’s a valuable addition to any developer’s toolkit.