How to open multiple terminals in docker?

I need to launch two distinct processes on a docker container which requires two terminals.What is the best way to achieve this?

You can run docker exec -it <container> bash from multiple terminals to launch several sessions connected to the same container.

To expand on @eltonStoneman's great answer (For all those new docker folks like me):

1. Open a docker terminal

2. Get the image running as a container in the background: docker run -d -it <image_id>

• Tip: docker ps will show the container_id that you just fired up from said image.

3. Per @eltonStoneman's advice: docker exec -it <container_id> bash

• Now your docker terminal is showing an interactive terminal to the container.

4. Open up another docker terminal and perform step 3 to create another interactive terminal to the container. (Rinse and Repeat)

docker run -it container_name bash starts a new container with bash promt.

docker exec -it container_name bash joins already running container's bash prompt.

First get the name of the container docker container ls Then get run docker exec command to get in that container docker exec <container_id> bash

Using Docker Compose: Let's say you have a Compose yml that enables X-Windows.

You can follow the steps below to launch terminals for a graphic IDE (e.g. qtCreator), nautilus and a terminal window.

Assumptions:

• Host is Windows 10. 1803
• Image is Ubuntu Xenial
• Docker engine is 18.03.1-ce
• Docker Compose is 1.21.1
• Windows Xming X Server is 7.7.0.25 - using IPv4 interface 192.168.1.101

Dockerfile: Dockerfile-dev-ubuntu_xenial - creates the Docker image

FROM ubuntu:xenial
ARG DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
LABEL maintainer "Your NAME <[email protected]>"
RUN apt-get update ; apt-get install -y apt-utils desktop-file-utils dialog nautilus build-essential debhelper fakeroot ccache lsb-release
RUN apt-get install -y autotools-dev autoconf pkg-config libtool curl gedit git wget unzip lintian
RUN apt-get install -y qtcreator valgrind
RUN apt-get install -y sudo \
    && groupadd -r user -g 1000 \
    && useradd -u 1000 -r -g user -m -d /user -s /sbin/nologin -c "Build pkg user" user \
    && chmod 755 /user \
    && echo "user ALL=(root) NOPASSWD:ALL" > /etc/sudoers.d/user \
    && chmod 0440 /etc/sudoers.d/user
WORKDIR /user
USER user
VOLUME ["/buildpkg", "/user/projects", "/user/resources"]
CMD /bin/bash

Compose.yml: compose-dev-linux.yml

version: '3'
services:
  # Commands:
  #   Build: docker-compose -f compose-dev-linux.yml build dev_ubuntu_xenial
  #   Up   : docker-compose -f compose-dev-linux.yml up -d dev_ubuntu_xenial
  #   Run  : docker-compose -f compose-dev-linux.yml run dev_ubuntu_xenial
  #   Down : docker-compose -f compose-dev-linux.yml down
  # Host folders:
  #   %USERPROFILE%/Projects
  #   %USERPROFILE%/Projects/Docker-builds
  #   %USERPROFILE%/Projects/Docker-resources
  # Docker configuration file locations:
  #   %USERPROFILE%/Dockerfiles/Dockerfile-dev-ubuntu_xenial
  #   %USERPROFILE%/compose-dev-linux.yml
  dev_ubuntu_xenial:
    security_opt:
      - seccomp:unconfined
    cap_add:
      - SYS_ADMIN
    environment:
      - DISPLAY=192.168.1.101:0
    network_mode: host
    image: "application-dev-platform/application:ubuntu_xenial"
    container_name: application-dev-ubuntu_xenial
    command: bash -c "/bin/bash"
    tty: true
    build:
      context: ./Dockerfiles
      dockerfile: Dockerfile-dev-ubuntu_xenial
    volumes:
      - ./Projects:/user/projects
      - ./Projects/Docker-builds:/buildpkg
      - ./Projects/Docker-resources:/user/resources

Run: - initial Powershell terminal

1. Build image: docker-compose -f compose-dev-linux.yml build dev_ubuntu_xenial
2. Launch Docker detached: docker-compose -f compose-dev-linux.yml up -d dev_ubuntu_xenial
3. List container(s): docker ps
4. Launch container: docker exec -it <CONTAINER ID> bash
5. Launch qtCreator: user@linuxkit-<generatedid>:~$ qtcreator

Run: - new Powershell terminal

1. Launch container: docker exec -it <CONTAINER ID> bash
2. Launch nautilus: nautilus

Run: - new Powershell terminal

1. Launch container: docker exec -it <CONTAINER ID> bash
2. Launch terminal: user@linuxkit-<generatedid>:~$

If you are able to run Kitematic - you can click on exec button to open terminal in selected container.

http://i.stack.imgur.com/PHrvc.png">