Docker Desktop CLI
By Docker Inc
Published: 2026-02-21 · Archived: 2026-04-05 18:16:38 UTC
Home / Manuals / Docker Desktop / Features and capabilities / Docker Desktop CLI
Use the Docker Desktop CLI
Table of contents
Usage
Commands
Requires: Docker Desktop 4.37 and later
The Docker Desktop CLI lets you perform key operations such as starting, stopping, restarting, and updating
Docker Desktop directly from the command line.
The Docker Desktop CLI provides:
Simplified automation for local development: Execute Docker Desktop operations more efficiently in
scripts and tests.
An improved developer experience: Restart, quit, or reset Docker Desktop from the command line,
reducing dependency on the Docker Desktop Dashboard and improving flexibility and efficiency.
Usage
docker desktop COMMAND [OPTIONS]
Commands
Command Description
start Starts Docker Desktop
stop Stops Docker Desktop
restart Restarts Docker Desktop
status Displays whether Docker Desktop is running or stopped.
https://docs.docker.com/desktop/features/desktop-cli/
Page 1 of 2

Command Description
engine ls Lists available engines (Windows only)
engine use Switch between Linux and Windows containers (Windows only)
update
Manage Docker Desktop updates. Available for Mac only with Docker Desktop version 4.38,
or all OSs with Docker Desktop version 4.39 and later.
logs Print log entries
disable Disable a feature
enable Enable a feature
version Show the Docker Desktop CLI plugin version information
kubernetes
List Kubernetes images used by Docker Desktop or restart the cluster. Available with Docker
Desktop version 4.44 and later.
diagnose .
Diagnose Docker Desktop and upload the diagnostics. Available with Docker Desktop 4.60
and later.
For more details on each command, see the Docker Desktop CLI reference.
Source: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/features/desktop-cli/
https://docs.docker.com/desktop/features/desktop-cli/
Page 2 of 2