# docker buildx build: BuildKit, Multi-Arch & Cache

> How docker buildx build works: BuildKit builds, multi-platform images, --push, and the GitHub Actions cache backend for fast CI.

Source: https://latchkey.dev/learn/command-reference/docker-buildx-build-command  
Updated: 2026-06-25

BuildKit-powered builds: multi-arch, registry cache, and push in one step.

docker buildx build is the BuildKit-backed builder with multi-platform output, advanced caching, and direct push. This page covers the flags that make CI builds fast.

## What it does

buildx build drives BuildKit with extra capabilities over classic docker build: --platform for multi-arch, --cache-to/--cache-from for external cache (including type=gha), and --push to build and upload without a separate push.

## Common usage

```Terminal
docker buildx build --platform linux/amd64,linux/arm64 \
  -t ghcr.io/owner/app:1.0 --push .

docker buildx build \
  --cache-from type=gha \
  --cache-to type=gha,mode=max \
  -t app:ci --load .
```

## Common errors in CI

"docker exporter does not currently support exporting manifest lists" - a multi-platform build cannot --load into the local docker store; use --push to a registry instead, or build a single platform. "Cache export is not supported for the docker driver" means you need a docker-container builder: run docker buildx create --use first. For type=gha cache, the GitHub Actions cache scope and token must be available (the docker/build-push-action wires this up).

## FAQ

### docker buildx build: BuildKit, Multi-Arch & Cache?

docker buildx build is the BuildKit-backed builder with multi-platform output, advanced caching, and direct push. This page covers the flags that make CI builds fast.

### What it does?

buildx build drives BuildKit with extra capabilities over classic docker build: --platform for multi-arch, --cache-to/--cache-from for external cache (including type=gha), and --push to build and upload without a separate push.

### Common errors in CI?

"docker exporter does not currently support exporting manifest lists" - a multi-platform build cannot --load into the local docker store; use --push to a registry instead, or build a single platform. "Cache export is not supported for the docker driver" means you need a docker-container builder: run docker buildx create --use first.

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