> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://notes.kodekloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Save and Load Images

> Learn to export and import Docker images and containers using tar archives in restricted environments without direct internet access.

Learn how to export Docker images and containers to `tar` archives, move them into air-gapped or restricted environments, and load or import them back into Docker without direct internet access.

## Table of Contents

1. [Exporting and Transferring Docker Images](#exporting-and-transferring-docker-images)
2. [Exporting a Container Filesystem and Importing as an Image](#exporting-a-container-filesystem-and-importing-as-an-image)
3. [Docker CLI Reference](#docker-cli-reference)
4. [Links and References](#links-and-references)

***

## 1. Exporting and Transferring Docker Images

When you cannot pull directly from Docker Hub (for example, in a restricted environment), follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Guide

1. Pull the desired image on an internet-connected host:
   ```bash theme={null}
   docker pull alpine:latest
   ```
2. Save the image into a tarball:
   ```bash theme={null}
   docker image save alpine:latest -o alpine.tar
   ```
3. Transfer `alpine.tar` to the target system (USB drive, SCP, shared NFS, etc.).
4. Load the tarball on the restricted host:
   ```bash theme={null}
   docker image load -i alpine.tar
   ```
   You should see output similar to:
   ```text theme={null}
   beee9f30bc1f: Loading layer [==================>]  5.862MB/5.862MB
   Loaded image: alpine:latest
   ```
5. Confirm the image is available locally:
   ```bash theme={null}
   docker image ls
   ```
   Example output:
   ```text theme={null}
   REPOSITORY   TAG       IMAGE ID       CREATED        SIZE
   alpine       latest    a187dde48cd2   4 weeks ago    5.6MB
   ```

<Callout icon="lightbulb" color="#1CB2FE">
  Always verify you’re using the correct `<repository>:<tag>` when saving and loading images to avoid version mismatches.
</Callout>

<Callout icon="triangle-alert" color="#FF6B6B">
  Ensure you have sufficient disk space on both source and target systems before exporting large images.
</Callout>

***

## 2. Exporting a Container Filesystem and Importing as an Image

You can snapshot a running container’s filesystem and convert it into a new Docker image:

1. **Export** the container to a tar archive:
   ```bash theme={null}
   docker export <container-name> > testcontainer.tar
   ```
2. **Import** the tarball as a fresh image:
   ```bash theme={null}
   docker image import testcontainer.tar newimage:latest
   ```
   Docker returns a new image ID, e.g.:
   ```text theme={null}
   sha256:8909b7da236bb21aa2e52e6e04dff4b7103753e4046e15457a3daf6dfa723a12
   ```
3. **List** local images to confirm the import:
   ```bash theme={null}
   docker image ls
   ```
   Example output:
   ```text theme={null}
   REPOSITORY    TAG       IMAGE ID       CREATED         SIZE
   newimage      latest    8090b7da236b   2 minutes ago   5.6MB
   alpine        latest    a187dde48cd2   4 weeks ago     5.6MB
   ```

***

## Docker CLI Reference

| Command                                       | Description                                        |
| --------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| `docker pull <repo>:<tag>`                    | Download image from Docker Hub or private registry |
| `docker image save <image> -o <file>.tar`     | Save one or more images to a tar archive           |
| `docker image load -i <file>.tar`             | Load image(s) from a tar archive                   |
| `docker export <container>`                   | Export container filesystem as a tar archive       |
| `docker image import <file>.tar <name>:<tag>` | Create a new image from a container tarball        |
| `docker image ls`                             | List local Docker images                           |

***

## Links and References

* [Docker Save Command](https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/commandline/image_save/)
* [Docker Load Command](https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/commandline/image_load/)
* [Docker Export and Import](https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/commandline/export/)
* [Docker CLI Overview](https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/commandline/docker/)

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Watch Video" icon="video" cta="Learn more" href="https://learn.kodekloud.com/user/courses/docker-certified-associate-exam-course/module/f2e605a0-1ea7-434b-a139-0db000b0a250/lesson/8374d3c4-207d-4801-a29c-223aec0ef539" />
</CardGroup>