To format output for specific container information with docker container inspect, you use the --format flag followed by a Go Template string.
Since the output of inspect is a nested JSON structure, you access fields using a dot notation (e.g., .Parent.Child).
Here are the most common ways to format specific info for your jenkins container:
1. Basic Formatting (Single Field)
If you only want one piece of data, wrap the path in double curly braces:
- Get the IP address:
docker container inspect --format '{{ .NetworkSettings.IPAddress }}' jenkins - Get the creation date:
docker container inspect --format '{{ .Created }}' jenkins
2. Formatted Strings (Adding Text)
You can combine fields with your own descriptive text to make it readable:
docker container inspect --format 'Container {{.Name}} was created on {{.Created}}' jenkins3. Extracting Nested List Data
Some fields, like Ports or Mounts, are arrays or maps. You can use common helper functions:
- Get all Mount points (Volumes):
docker container inspect --format '{{ range .Mounts }}{{ .Source }} -> {{ .Destination }}{{ end }}' jenkins
4. Direct JSON Output (Clean JSON)
If you want to extract a specific sub-section as valid JSON (great for scripts or tools like jq):
docker container inspect --format '{{ json .State }}' jenkinsQuick Reference for Common Paths:
.State.Status— Running, exited, etc..Config.Image— The image name used to start it..LogPath— Location of the container log file on disk..Name— The container name..Id— The full container ID.
A small tip: Because you are in a Linux terminal, always wrap your format string in single quotes ('{{ ... }}') so the shell doesn't get confused by the double curly braces!
Which specific piece of information are you trying to find? I can help you write the exact template for it!
