How to set bash aliases for docker containers in Dockerfile?

bash unix docker alias dockerfile
np20 picture np20 · Apr 3, 2016 · Viewed 62.7k times · Source

I am new to docker. I found that we can set environment variables using ENV instruction in the Dockerfile. But how does one set bash aliases for long commands in Dockerfile?

Answer

Erik Dannenberg picture Erik Dannenberg · Apr 3, 2016

Basically like you always do, by adding it to the user's .bashrc:

FROM foo
RUN echo 'alias hi="echo hello"' >> ~/.bashrc

As usual this will only work for interactive shells:

docker build -t test .
docker run -it --rm --entrypoint /bin/bash test hi
/bin/bash: hi: No such file or directory
docker run -it --rm test bash
$ hi
hello

For non-interactive shells you should create a small script and put it in your path, i.e.:

RUN echo -e '#!/bin/bash\necho hello' > /usr/bin/hi && \
    chmod +x /usr/bin/hi

If your alias uses parameters (ie. hi Jim -> hello Jim), just add "$@":

RUN echo -e '#!/bin/bash\necho hello "$@"' > /usr/bin/hi && \
    chmod +x /usr/bin/hi

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