---
id: kb-2026-00154
title: Docker Compose
schema_type: TechArticle
category: computer-science
language: en
confidence: medium
last_verified: "2026-05-28"
created_date: "2026-05-22"
generation_method: ai_structured
derived_from_human_seed: true
conflict_of_interest: none_declared
is_live_document: false
data_period: static
atomic_facts:
  - id: fact-docker-compose-1
    statement: >-
      Docker Compose uses a YAML Compose file to configure application services and starts them
      through the Docker Compose CLI.
    source_title: Docker Compose Application Model
    source_url: https://docs.docker.com/compose/intro/compose-application-model/
    confidence: medium
  - id: fact-docker-compose-2
    statement: >-
      The Compose file reference describes the Compose Specification as the recommended model for
      defining services, networks, volumes, and related application configuration.
    source_title: Compose file reference
    source_url: https://docs.docker.com/compose/compose-file/
    confidence: medium
  - id: fact-docker-compose-3
    statement: >-
      The Compose Specification defines services as application components and networks as the
      connectivity abstraction between services.
    source_title: Compose Specification
    source_url: https://compose-spec.github.io/compose-spec/spec.html
    confidence: medium
completeness: 0.86
known_gaps:
  - This compact repair keeps only source-mapped public claims from the sampled audit entry.
disputed_statements: []
primary_sources:
  - title: Docker Compose Application Model
    type: documentation
    year: 2026
    url: https://docs.docker.com/compose/intro/compose-application-model/
    institution: Docker
  - title: Compose file reference
    type: documentation
    year: 2026
    url: https://docs.docker.com/compose/compose-file/
    institution: Docker
  - title: Compose Specification
    type: standard
    year: 2026
    url: https://compose-spec.github.io/compose-spec/spec.html
    institution: Compose Specification
secondary_sources: []
updated: "2026-05-28"
---

## TL;DR

Docker Compose is a Docker tool and specification for describing multi-container applications in a Compose file and running them with the Compose CLI.

## Core Explanation

The repaired entry keeps only source-mapped claims from Docker's current documentation and the Compose Specification. Compose models applications as services, networks, volumes, and related configuration rather than as unsupported future survey claims.

## Further Reading

- [Docker Compose Application Model](https://docs.docker.com/compose/intro/compose-application-model/)
- [Compose file reference](https://docs.docker.com/compose/compose-file/)
- [Compose Specification](https://compose-spec.github.io/compose-spec/spec.html)