How to fix sudo docker compose - compose is not a docker command
Tags: docker, ubuntu, dockercompose, installation
Published: 2023-08-14 04:08:33

If you are a software developer working with Docker, chances are you have encountered the infamous "compose is not a docker command" error when trying to use `sudo docker compose`. Don't worry, you are not alone! This error occurs when the `docker-compose` command is not recognized by Docker because it is not installed or not properly configured on your system. But fear not, we have got you covered with some easy steps to fix this issue and get back to your Docker-compose magic!

Step 1: Check Docker Compose Installation
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The first thing you need to do is check if Docker Compose is installed on your system. Open a terminal and run the following command:

`docker-compose --version`

If you see a version number, congratulations! Docker Compose is installed. Otherwise, you need to install it.

Step 2: Install Docker Compose
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Installing Docker Compose is a breeze. You can follow the official Docker documentation for your specific operating system. Once you have installed Docker Compose, make sure to restart your terminal or source your shell configuration file to update the environment variables.

Step 3: Verify Docker Compose Installation
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After installing Docker Compose, run the `docker-compose --version` command again to verify the installation. If you still see the "compose is not a docker command" error, make sure that the `docker-compose` binary is in your system's `PATH` variable.

Step 4: Update Docker Configuration
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If Docker Compose is installed and still not recognized by Docker, you may need to update your Docker configuration. Open the Docker configuration file, typically located at `/etc/docker/daemon.json`, and add the following content:

`{ "experimental": true }`

Save the file and restart Docker by running `sudo service docker restart`. This should fix the issue and allow Docker to recognize the `docker-compose` command.

Step 5: Celebrate and Docker-compose Away!
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Congratulations! You have successfully fixed the "compose is not a docker command" error. Now you can go back to your terminal and run `sudo docker-compose` with confidence. Enjoy the power of Docker-compose and let your containers dance to the rhythm of your code!

Conclusion
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Docker-compose is a powerful tool for managing multi-container applications, but sometimes it can be a bit finicky. The "compose is not a docker command" error is one of those frustrating moments, but with the steps outlined in this article, you can quickly get back on track. Remember to always check your Docker Compose installation, update your Docker configuration if needed, and never forget to celebrate your victories, no matter how small they may be!

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