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World D0: Start Here

Install Docker

You will learn: how to install Docker on Windows, macOS or Linux from the official docs, and check that it runs.

Checked with Docker Engine 29 on 31 Oct 2026

The problem

Time to set up your real kitchen! The practice kitchen here is pretend. First question: where do you get Docker from?

Watch

Tap each point on the timeline.

Three computers, three roads. On Windows, Docker Desktop leans on WSL 2: A real Linux inside Windows. Docker Desktop uses it to run containers.: a real Linux inside Windows. Tap your road.

Try it

Pick your computer. Do each step on your own machine, then tick it. Your ticks are saved.

Which computer do you use?

Watch

Your laptop~

  • No open hatches

Lunchboxes (containers)

  • No containers yet

Frozen packs (images)

  • No images yet

You may meet this real message: Cannot connect to the Docker daemon. In plain words: the cook is not in the kitchen yet. The engine is not running.

Predict

Docker Desktop is installed. But docker version says Cannot connect to the Docker daemon. What do you try first?

Check

Safe install habits. Good idea or not?

Swipe right for good, left for needs work. Or use the buttons.

1 / 4

Download Docker only from docs.docker.com

You did it!

You can now install Docker on your own computer and check that it runs.

Go deeper (optional)

On Linux, start a sleeping engine with sudo systemctl start docker. Joining the docker group skips sudo, but it gives root-level power. Do it only on your own machine.

No good computer? Killercoda gives you a free Linux terminal in your browser. Type docker version there to see if Docker is ready.