Container won't start? The three-step Docker drill

A container exits immediately or never comes up, and you need a method, not random poking.

docker logs web               # 1. read the error — 90% of answers are here
docker inspect web            # 2. check State.ExitCode, mounts, and env
docker run --rm -it --entrypoint sh myapp:1.0   # 3. bypass CMD, explore the image yourself

Good to know

Logs first — most answers are there; then inspect for state, exit code, mounts and env; then bypass the CMD with an entrypoint shell and explore the image yourself.

Docker Cheatsheet one-page card — commands that actually work — The full one-page card — Docker Cheatsheet. Get the complete cheatsheet on GitHub