multi-stage-dockerfile
Create optimized multi-stage Dockerfiles for any language or framework
- Installs
- 29.8K
- Last 24h
- +52
- Trending rank
- #3258
- Security
- Warn
Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill multi-stage-dockerfile- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads multi-stage-dockerfile automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
Security audits
Independent scans of the skill's instructions and bundled files.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Your goal is to help me create efficient multi-stage Dockerfiles that follow best practices, resulting in smaller, more secure container images.
Multi-Stage Structure
- Use a builder stage for compilation, dependency installation, and other build-time operations
- Use a separate runtime stage that only includes what's needed to run the application
- Copy only the necessary artifacts from the builder stage to the runtime stage
- Use meaningful stage names with the
ASkeyword (e.g.,FROM node:18 AS builder) - Place stages in logical order: dependencies → build → test → runtime
Base Images
- Start with official, minimal base images when possible
- Specify exact version tags to ensure reproducible builds (e.g.,
python:3.11-slimnot justpython) - Consider distroless images for runtime stages where appropriate
- Use Alpine-based images for smaller footprints when compatible with your application
- Ensure the runtime image has the minimal necessary dependencies
Layer Optimization
- Organize commands to maximize layer caching
- Place commands that change frequently (like code changes) after commands that change less frequently (like dependency installation)
- Use
.dockerignoreto prevent unnecessary files from being included in the build context - Combine related RUN commands with
&&to reduce layer count - Consider using COPY --chown to set permissions in one step
Security Practices
- Avoid running containers as root - use
USERinstruction to specify a non-root user - Remove build tools and unnecessary packages from the final image
- Scan the final image for vulnerabilities
- Set restrictive file permissions
- Use multi-stage builds to avoid including build secrets in the final image
Performance Considerations
- Use build arguments for configuration that might change between environments
- Leverage build cache efficiently by ordering layers from least to most frequently changing
- Consider parallelization in build steps when possible
- Set appropriate environment variables like NODE_ENV=production to optimize runtime behavior
- Use appropriate healthchecks for the application type with the HEALTHCHECK instruction
FAQ
What does the multi-stage-dockerfile skill do?
Create optimized multi-stage Dockerfiles for any language or framework
How do I install multi-stage-dockerfile?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill multi-stage-dockerfile in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/multi-stage-dockerfile/ (personal) or .claude/skills/multi-stage-dockerfile/ (project).
Which AI agents can use multi-stage-dockerfile?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is multi-stage-dockerfile safe to install?
Security partners have reviewed it: Gen Agent Trust Hub passed; Socket passed; Snyk passed; Runlayer flagged items to review; ZeroLeaks passed. As with any skill, read the SKILL.md and bundled scripts before installing.
Who maintains multi-stage-dockerfile?
It is published by github in github/awesome-copilot, and it is an official skill from the maker of the technology it covers. It has 29,800 recorded installs.
More from github/awesome-copilot
git-commit
github/awesome-copilot
Use this skill when the user wants to make a Git commit or split changes into more than one commit. Also use it when the user types "/commit" or asks for a conventional commit. The skill examines the diff, stages the related files, writes a Conventional Commits message, and runs git commit. Do not use it when the user wants only a commit message and no commit. Do not use it to push, open a pull request, rebase, or change the commit history.
excalidraw-diagram-generator
github/awesome-copilot
Generate Excalidraw diagrams from natural language descriptions. Use when asked to "create a diagram", "make a flowchart", "visualize a process", "draw a system architecture", "create a mind map", or "generate an Excalidraw file". Supports flowcharts, relationship diagrams, mind maps, and system architecture diagrams. Outputs .excalidraw JSON files that can be opened directly in Excalidraw.
documentation-writer
github/awesome-copilot
Diátaxis Documentation Expert. An expert technical writer specializing in creating high-quality software documentation, guided by the principles and structure of the Diátaxis technical documentation authoring framework.
prd
github/awesome-copilot
Generate high-quality Product Requirements Documents (PRDs) for software systems and AI-powered features. Includes executive summaries, user stories, technical specifications, and risk analysis.
refactor
github/awesome-copilot
Surgical code refactoring to improve maintainability without changing behavior. Covers extracting functions, renaming variables, breaking down god functions, improving type safety, eliminating code smells, and applying design patterns. Less drastic than repo-rebuilder; use for gradual improvements.
java-springboot
github/awesome-copilot
Get best practices for developing applications with Spring Boot.
Popular other skills
hyperframes-cli
heygen-com/hyperframes
The HyperFrames CLI by job - scaffold, check, look at frames, edit the timeline, preview, render locally or in the cloud, publish, project history - plus reading its JSON and recovering from build or render failures.
ask-matt
mattpocock/skills
Ask which skill or flow fits your situation. A router over the skills in this repo.
to-questionnaire
mattpocock/skills
Turn a decision you can't fully answer into a questionnaire for someone else to fill in.
loop-me
mattpocock/skills
Grill me about specs for the workflows I want to build, within this workspace.
caveman-help
juliusbrussee/caveman
Quick-reference card for the three caveman skills and their commands. Trigger: /caveman-help or "caveman help".