Docker Compose

Docker Compose runs a small group of containers together. A docker-compose.yml or compose.yml file describes the services, networks, volumes, ports, and environment variables.

It is a good fit for local development and small self-hosted services. One file can start an app, a database, a cache, and a background worker without asking anyone to remember a long set of docker run commands.

Compose is not Kubernetes. That is part of the appeal. You get a readable local setup with fewer moving parts. When the same app needs scheduling, autoscaling, and cluster-level rollout controls, that is when an orchestrator enters the picture.