Agent skill · Docker

Dockerfile Build Strategies skill for Claude Code, Codex and Cursor

Makes Dockerfiles smaller, faster and safer with multi-stage builds and layer caching.

Officialname: docker-build-strategies★ 596 (repo)pushed 2026-10-23Apache-2.0SKILL.md on GitHubchecked 2026-11-07

What it does, in the publisher's words

Use this skill when writing, reviewing, or optimizing Dockerfiles, even if the user just says their image is too large, their build is slow, or they need to harden a container for production. Covers multi-stage builds, layer caching, .dockerignore, non-root users, and image size optimization.

The description field of the SKILL.md. The agent reads only this at startup and decides from it when to load the full skill.

Install Dockerfile Build Strategies

The skills CLI copies the skill into the folder of each agent you pick (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, Windsurf...). Add -g for all projects. Needs Node.js 22.20+. docs

npx skills add docker/skills --skill docker-build-strategies

This repo is a plugin marketplace. Inside Claude Code, add it and install the plugin that holds the skill (docker-skills), or copy only this skill into ~/.claude/skills. docs

/plugin marketplace add docker/skills
/plugin install <plugin>@docker

# or only this skill:
npx skills add docker/skills --skill docker-build-strategies -a claude-code

Download the skill folder, zip it, then Customize > Skills > + > Create skill > Upload a skill. Code execution must be on (Settings > Capabilities). docs

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/docker/skills.git /tmp/docker-build-strategies-src
cp -r /tmp/docker-build-strategies-src/skills/docker-build-strategies ./docker-build-strategies
zip -r docker-build-strategies.zip docker-build-strategies

Codex reads skills from .agents/skills in the repo or ~/.agents/skills. Type $ in Codex to use one. docs

npx skills add docker/skills --skill docker-build-strategies -a codex

gh skill (GitHub CLI 2.90+, preview) installs it for Copilot in VS Code, the CLI and the cloud agent. Copilot also reads .github/skills and ~/.copilot/skills. docs

gh skill install docker/skills docker-build-strategies

Cursor reads .cursor/skills, .agents/skills and ~/.cursor/skills (and .claude/skills). It does not install loose skills from a GitHub URL, so copy it in. docs

npx skills add docker/skills --skill docker-build-strategies -a cursor

Installs from the GitHub repo; --path picks this skill out of the repo. Default scope is user (all projects). docs

gemini skills install https://github.com/docker/skills.git --path skills/docker-build-strategies

OpenCode reads .opencode/skills, ~/.config/opencode/skills and the Claude and .agents folders. docs

npx skills add docker/skills --skill docker-build-strategies -a opencode

Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) reads .devin/skills, .windsurf/skills and ~/.codeium/windsurf/skills. docs

npx skills add docker/skills --skill docker-build-strategies -a windsurf

Works with

Claude Code, Claude.ai and Claude Desktop, Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, Windsurf and other agents that read the open Agent Skills format.

The SKILL.md says: "Requires Docker 23.0+ (BuildKit default). On Docker 20.10–22.x, set DOCKER_BUILDKIT=1 before building."
Bundles 2 Go/shell scripts the agent can run, so it needs Go and shell on the machine. In the Claude apps, code execution must be on.

What's in the SKILL.md

16 sections

Overview
When to use this skill
Do not use this skill when
Core guidance
Multi-stage builds
Layer caching
Build secrets and SSH access
.dockerignore
Non-root user
Image size optimization
General rules
Related skills
References
Assets
Scripts
Checks

Bundled files

agents/openai.yaml
assets/Dockerfile.go
assets/Dockerfile.nodejs
assets/Dockerfile.python
assets/dockerignore-example
checks/verification.md
references/layer-caching.md
references/multi-stage-builds.md
scripts/verify-build.sh
skill.yaml

Loaded only when the instructions point to them.

Facts

Skill name: docker-build-strategies
Publisher: Docker (official)
Repo: docker/skills
License: Apache-2.0
SKILL.md size: 1,525 words, 160 lines
Bundled files: 10, 2 scripts (Go, shell), 3 docs
Repo stars: 596 (as of 2026-10-24)
SKILL.md checked: 2026-11-07

Pairs with the Docker MCP server: the server gives the agent the tools, the skill teaches it how to use them.

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FAQ

What does the docker-build-strategies skill do?+

Makes Dockerfiles smaller, faster and safer with multi-stage builds and layer caching. In its own SKILL.md, Docker describes it as: "Use this skill when writing, reviewing, or optimizing Dockerfiles, even if the user just says their image is too large, their build is slow, or they need to harden a container for production. Covers multi-stage builds, layer caching, .dockerignore, non-root users, and image size optimization."

How do I install the docker-build-strategies skill?+

Run npx skills add docker/skills --skill docker-build-strategies and pick your agents, or use the tab for your agent above. In Claude Code the skill ends up in ~/.claude/skills/docker-build-strategies/SKILL.md; in Codex and Cursor in .agents/skills/docker-build-strategies/.

Does Dockerfile Build Strategies work in Codex, Cursor and Copilot, or only Claude?+

It's a standard SKILL.md, so any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use it: Claude Code, the Claude apps, Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, Windsurf and more. The SKILL.md notes: Requires Docker 23.0+ (BuildKit default). On Docker 20.10–22.x, set DOCKER_BUILDKIT=1 before building.

Who maintains Dockerfile Build Strategies?+

Docker, the company or project behind it, in the docker/skills repo on GitHub, last pushed 2026-10-23. License: Apache-2.0.

Read a skill's SKILL.md and scripts before you install it: skills aren't verified by any agent vendor. Claude skills marketplace · How to install skills · MCP servers