Dockerfile Best Practices

Apply these rules when writing, reviewing, or optimizing any Dockerfile.

Base Images

• Use minimal base images: alpine, slim, distroless, or scratch
• Compiled languages (Go, Rust): use scratch images
• Interpreted languages (Node.js, Python): use alpine or slim (runtime needed)
• Always use multistage builds to separate build-time and runtime dependencies

Image Optimization

Layer Caching

Order layers from least-changing to most-changing: