DOCKER(1) Docker User Manuals DOCKER(1)

# [NAME](#NAME)

docker-container-commit - Create a new image from a container's changes

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

**docker container commit \[OPTIONS] CONTAINER \[REPOSITORY\[:TAG]]**

# [DESCRIPTION](#DESCRIPTION)

Create a new image from an existing container specified by name or container ID. The new image will contain the contents of the container filesystem, *excluding* any data volumes. Refer to [**docker-tag(1)**](/man/enterprise-packages/docker-cli-fips/docker-tag.1) for more information about valid image and tag names.

While the **docker commit** command is a convenient way of extending an existing image, you should prefer the use of a Dockerfile and **docker** **build** for generating images that you intend to share with other people.

# [EXAMPLES](#EXAMPLES)

# [Creating a new image from an existing container](#Creating_a_new_image_from_an_existing_container)

An existing Fedora based container has had Apache installed while running in interactive mode with the bash shell. Apache is also running. To create a new image run **docker ps** to find the container's ID and then run:

```
$ docker commit -m="Added Apache to Fedora base image" \


  -a="A D Ministrator" 98bd7fc99854 fedora/fedora_httpd:20
```

Note that only a-z0-9-\_. are allowed when naming images from an existing container.

# [Apply specified Dockerfile instructions while committing the image](#Apply_specified_Dockerfile_instructions_while_committing_the_image)

If an existing container was created without the DEBUG environment variable set to "true", you can create a new image based on that container by first getting the container's ID with **docker ps** and then running:

```
$ docker container commit -c="ENV DEBUG=true" 98bd7fc99854 debug-image
```

# [OPTIONS](#OPTIONS)

**-a**, **--author**="" Author (e.g., "John Hannibal Smith hannibal@a-team.com ⟨mailto:hannibal@a-team.com⟩")

**-c**, **--change**= Apply Dockerfile instruction to the created image

**-m**, **--message**="" Commit message

**--no-pause**\[=false] Disable pausing container during commit

# [SEE ALSO](#SEE_ALSO)

[**docker-container(1)**](/man/enterprise-packages/docker-cli-fips/docker-container.1)

Oct 2026 Docker Community

---

Document: docker-container-commit(1) from docker-cli-fips 29.9.0-r0 (Chainguard OS)
Source: https://github.com/docker/cli