Docker Optimization

Production images should be minimal, fast to pull, and secure.

Multi-stage Builds

• Pattern: Use a heavy build image (with compilers/tools) and copy only the compiled artifacts to a tiny runtime image (e.g., alpine).
• Benefit: Reduces image size by up to 90% and removes build-time vulnerabilities.

Layer Reduction

• Chaining: Chain apt-get install commands and clean up in the same RUN layer to avoid bloated images.

Best Practices

• Alpine & Distroless: Use the smallest possible OS base.
• Cache Mounting: Use --mount=type=cache in BuildKit to persist pip/npm caches across builds.