Linux Survival Basics
Read-only, can be slowList Docker Container Restart Status
You need names, images, status, and restart counts for containers.
Command
docker ps -a --format 'table {{.Names}} {{.Image}} {{.Status}} {{.RestartCount}}'Before you run this
System impact: Read-only. Can create load on large logs, directories, filesystems, or process tables.
When not to use it: Do not delete containers or volumes from this output alone.
Expected output
A table of container names, images, status strings, and restart counts.
System impact
Read-only, can be slow. Nothing changes. The command reads current state and prints diagnostic evidence.
Scope this to the smallest useful path or service on busy systems.
Recovery / rollback: no state is changed.
When to use it
Use when a container keeps restarting or disappears from the healthy list.
When not to use it
Do not delete containers or volumes from this output alone.
Common misread
Do not delete containers or volumes from this output alone.
Example run
Commands shown
These are the commands shown for inspection. Treat them as an example, not proof that your system will behave identically.
docker ps -a --format 'table {{.Names}} {{.Image}} {{.Status}} {{.RestartCount}}'docker ps -a --format 'table {{.Names}} {{.Image}} {{.Status}} {{.RestartCount}}'
next steps
Related commands
Show Containers in a Clean Triage Table
Turn noisy docker ps output into the few fields operators scan first.
docker ps -a --format 'table {{.Names}}\t{{.Status}}\t{{.Image}}\t{{.Ports}}'
Find Restarting Containers Fast
Restart loops hide in plain sight unless you filter for them.
docker ps -a --filter status=restarting --format 'table {{.Names}}\t{{.Status}}\t{{.Image}}'
Read Recent Docker Restart Events
Docker events show restart and die loops over time.
docker events --since 30m --until 0s
Inspect Docker Restart Policy
Policy and exit code explain whether Docker is restarting by design.
docker inspect -f '{{.HostConfig.RestartPolicy.Name}} {{.State.ExitCode}} {{.State.Error}}' container_name
Read Recent Docker Container Logs
Recent container logs usually show the failing command or dependency.
docker logs --tail 80 container_name
next diagnostic step
Where to go from this command
- Related problem hub Use this command as part of the repair path.
Study mapping
Use this as independent command practice: read the notes, predict the output, then compare it with the example before using a real shell.
Independent study support only. No affiliation, endorsement, exam dumps, or real exam questions.