Developer tools · Docker run to Docker compose converter
How --restart, --name and --hostname become Compose service settings
· How it works
docker compose restart-policy
A few small flags decide whether a container survives a reboot and what it is called. This post explains the four restart policies and the naming keys, and what changes when Compose manages them.
Nothing came back after the power cut — the docker run had --restart unless-stopped, the new Compose file did not
Nothing came back after the power cut — the docker run had --restart unless-stopped, the new Compose file did not. Evidence: omitting --restart removes that command-supplied policy from the service. Reproduce restart naming with disposable literals. Pair each source occurrence with restart container_name hostname; reserve daemon and name collisions for destination review.
The restart policy incident also reveals that A separate restart policy incident boundary is that --name writes container_name and also influences the service key. Evidence: --name writes container_name and also influences the service key. This restart naming constraint is a stopping point. Inspect restart container_name hostname without manufacturing behavior, then document a host check for daemon and name collisions.
The four restart policies — no, on-failure with optional retry count, always and unless-stopped, and how the daemon applies them at boot
The four restart policies — no, on-failure with optional retry count, always and unless-stopped, and how the daemon applies them at boot. Evidence: the last restart value wins and on-failure counts receive a portability note. Trace restart naming tokens into restart container_name hostname. Separate ordered values from last-value fields; daemon and name collisions is outside collection.
A related restart policy mechanism boundary is that A separate restart policy grammar boundary is that --hostname writes hostname without asserting DNS behavior. Evidence: --hostname writes hostname without asserting DNS behavior. Use this restart naming fact to predict one member or scalar in restart container_name hostname. Check warnings before deciding anything about daemon and name collisions.
restart: in Compose — the same values, and why unless-stopped and always differ only after an explicit docker stop
restart: in Compose — the same values, and why unless-stopped and always differ only after an explicit docker stop. Evidence: daemon boot behavior is not simulated by conversion. Judge restart naming serialization from its model. Quoting in restart container_name hostname protects types but gives no operational proof for daemon and name collisions.
The second restart policy serialization observation is A separate restart policy output boundary is that a sample can show restart names and an external network together. Evidence: a sample can show restart names and an external network together. This restart naming output separates settings from unavailable context. Keep restart container_name hostname reviewable and check daemon and name collisions independently.
--name to container_name — what you gain (a predictable name) and what you lose (scaling and name clashes)
--name to container_name — what you gain (a predictable name) and what you lose (scaling and name clashes). Stop at the restart naming exception instead of guessing. Any addition near restart container_name hostname needs a deployment-specific reason tied to daemon and name collisions.
Another restart policy exception constraint is that A separate restart policy exception boundary is that health recovery depends_on and orchestrator policy are not inferred. Evidence: health recovery depends_on and orchestrator policy are not inferred. Keep the original restart naming command beside warnings. The comparison shows what restart container_name hostname contains and which daemon and name collisions decision remains manual.
--hostname to hostname — the name inside the container, distinct from the DNS name Compose gives the service
--hostname to hostname — the name inside the container, distinct from the DNS name Compose gives the service. Build the restart naming example from synthetic names. Make every restart container_name hostname item traceable without exposing production daemon and name collisions details.
The same restart policy example sample demonstrates that A separate restart policy example boundary is that small operational flags become explicit reviewable keys. Evidence: small operational flags become explicit reviewable keys. The paired restart naming fact should be visible in restart container_name hostname. Record that line and avoid assumptions about daemon and name collisions.
Worked example: converting a home-automation container's command — restart, name, hostname and network settings side by side
Worked example: converting a home-automation container's command — restart, name, hostname and network settings side by side. Translate the restart naming consequence into one observable restart container_name hostname difference. Docker owns the later daemon and name collisions verdict.
The restart policy consequence implementation also shows A separate restart policy effect boundary is that omitting --restart removes that command-supplied policy from the service. Split restart naming responsibilities: conversion writes restart container_name hostname, the repository removes secrets, and operators validate daemon and name collisions.
What this does not cover — healthcheck-based restarts, depends_on ordering and orchestration restarts in Swarm or Kubernetes
What this does not cover — healthcheck-based restarts, depends_on ordering and orchestration restarts in Swarm or Kubernetes. Limit restart naming scope to restart container_name hostname branches shown here. Neighboring forms and defaults cannot answer daemon and name collisions questions.
One more restart policy scope limit follows from A separate restart policy limit boundary is that the last restart value wins and on-failure counts receive a portability note. Treat this restart naming boundary as an exclusion. Prefer accurate restart container_name hostname over guesses about daemon and name collisions.
Takeaway: the small flags carry operational meaning — and the converter preserves them as explicit keys you can review
Takeaway: the small flags carry operational meaning — and the converter preserves them as explicit keys you can review. Audit restart naming as source option, model field, restart container_name hostname line and warning. Remove secrets before checking daemon and name collisions.
Finally, the restart policy takeaway source confirms A separate restart policy decision boundary is that daemon boot behavior is not simulated by conversion. Close restart naming narrowly: restart container_name hostname is a candidate; daemon and name collisions and shell equivalence are not guarantees.