docker compose down Command Reference

By Kaveh Alemi·Latchkey

Stop and remove the services, networks, and optionally volumes.

docker compose down is the teardown counterpart to up: it stops and removes the containers and the default network for the project. With -v it also removes named volumes declared in the compose file, giving a clean slate for the next run.

Common flags

• -v, --volumes - also remove named volumes declared in the file
• --rmi - remove images, e.g. --rmi local or --rmi all
• --remove-orphans - remove containers for services no longer in the file
• -t, --timeout - shutdown timeout in seconds before kill

Example

docker compose down -v --remove-orphans

In CI

Run docker compose down -v in an always() cleanup step so volumes (database data, caches) do not leak into the next job on a persistent runner. --remove-orphans clears containers left by a previous compose file revision. On ephemeral runners the teardown matters less but is still good hygiene.

Key takeaways

• -v removes named volumes for a truly clean teardown between runs.
• --remove-orphans clears containers left over from an older compose file.
• Run it in an always() step so failed jobs still clean up.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

References

• Docker documentation
• Docker build cache
• GitHub Actions documentation