Copying Contents into Container

In this guide, you’ll learn how to transfer files and directories between your Docker host and a running container using the docker container cp command. This utility works in both directions:

Host → Container
Container → Host

Assume you have:

A container named webapp running on your Docker host
A file on the host at /tmp/web.conf

Copying from Host to Container

Syntax

docker container cp [HOST_PATH] [CONTAINER_NAME]:[CONTAINER_PATH]

Example

docker container cp /tmp/web.conf webapp:/etc/web.conf

Source (host): /tmp/web.conf
Destination (container): webapp:/etc/web.conf

Note

If you specify a directory as the destination, ensure that directory already exists inside the container.

Copying from Container to Host

Simply reverse the source and destination:

docker container cp webapp:/etc/web.conf /tmp/web.conf

Source (container): webapp:/etc/web.conf
Destination (host): /tmp/web.conf

Warning

Any existing file at the destination path will be overwritten without confirmation.

Copying Entire Directories

To copy a complete directory (including its contents), include trailing slashes:

docker container cp ./config/ webapp:/etc/config

This command transfers your local config folder into /etc/config inside the webapp container. Ensure /etc/config exists in the container before running the command.

Command Reference

Direction	Command Syntax	Description
Host → Container	`docker container cp /path/on/host container_name:/path/in/container`	Copy files or directories into container
Container → Host	`docker container cp container_name:/path/in/container /path/on/host`	Copy files or directories to host

Links and References

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