docker cp — copy files between container and host

Q: Directory trailing slash behavior

Adding a trailing / to the source copies the directory contents (not the directory itself). ``` # Copies the dist/ directory itself docker cp my-container:/app/dist ./ # Copies the contents of dist/ into ./dist-output/ docker cp my-container:/app/dist/. ./dist-output/ ```

Quick Answer

# Host → container
docker cp ./local-file.txt my-container:/app/file.txt

# Container → host
docker cp my-container:/app/logs/error.log ./error.log

# Copy a whole directory
docker cp my-container:/app/dist ./dist

Usage

You need to copy config files, logs, or build artifacts between your host and a container.

Other causes & fixes

Copy works on stopped containers too

# Even if the container is not running
docker ps -a | grep my-container   # Exited
docker cp my-container:/app/config.json ./config.json

Directory trailing slash behavior

Adding a trailing / to the source copies the directory contents (not the directory itself).

# Copies the dist/ directory itself
docker cp my-container:/app/dist ./

# Copies the contents of dist/ into ./dist-output/
docker cp my-container:/app/dist/. ./dist-output/

Use volumes for persistent sharing instead

# Bind mount — changes are reflected instantly in both directions
docker run -v $(pwd)/data:/app/data my-image