---
id:"kb-2026-00154"
title:"Docker Compose"
schema_type:"TechArticle"
category:"computer-science"
language:"en"
confidence:"high"
last_verified:"2026-05-22"
generation_method: "human_only"
derived_from_human_seed: true
primary_sources:
  - title: "Docker Compose Documentation"
    type: "documentation"
    year: 2026
    url: "https://docs.docker.com/compose/"
    institution: "Docker Inc."
    note: "Multi-container Docker orchestration: docker-compose.yml, services, networks, volumes, profiles"
secondary_sources:
  - title: "Docker: Up & Running (3rd Edition)"
    authors: ["Kane, Sean P.", "Matthias, Karl"]
    type: "book"
    year: 2023
    url: "https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/docker-up/9781098131814/"
    institution: "O'Reilly"
    note: "Covers Docker Compose in production context: multi-service deployments, orchestration patterns"
completeness: 0.88
ai_citations:
  last_citation_check:"2026-05-22"
---

## TL;DR

Docker Compose defines and runs multi-container Docker applications using a YAML file (`docker-compose.yml`). One command (`docker compose up`) starts all services. Ideal for development environments and single-host production deployments.

## Core Explanation

Services, networks, volumes defined declaratively. `depends_on` controls startup order (but not readiness — use healthchecks). Environment variables via `.env` file or inline. Profiles enable conditional service activation. Compose v2 is written in Go (plugin). For multi-host, use Docker Swarm or Kubernetes.

## Further Reading

- [Docker Compose Documentation](https://docs.docker.com/compose/)