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Docker Socket Configuration

By default, Sidekick Docker connects to the Docker daemon via the local Unix socket.

Default Socket

/var/run/docker.sock

This is the standard location on Linux and macOS. Docker Desktop also exposes this socket.

Custom Socket Path

Use the --socket flag to specify a different socket:

sidekick-docker --socket /path/to/docker.sock

TCP Connection

Connect to a remote Docker daemon over TCP:

sidekick-docker --socket tcp://192.168.1.100:2375

Warning

Unencrypted TCP connections expose the Docker API without authentication. Use TLS for production remote connections.

Environment Variables

The underlying Docker client (dockerode) also respects standard Docker environment variables:

Variable Description
DOCKER_HOST Docker daemon socket (e.g., unix:///var/run/docker.sock or tcp://host:port)
DOCKER_TLS_VERIFY Enable TLS verification (1 to enable)
DOCKER_CERT_PATH Path to TLS certificates

The --socket flag takes precedence over environment variables.