No cache Docker Compose is a method of building and running Docker containers without using the cache. This approach can be beneficial in certain situations, such as when you want to ensure that your containers are built with the latest dependencies or when you're experiencing issues with cached layers. In this article, we'll explore five ways to use no cache Docker Compose.
Introduction to No Cache Docker Compose

Docker Compose is a tool for defining and running multi-container Docker applications. It allows you to define your application’s services, networks, and volumes in a single configuration file, making it easier to manage and deploy your application. When you run Docker Compose, it uses a cache to store the results of previous builds, which can speed up the build process. However, in some cases, you may want to disable this cache to ensure that your containers are built with the latest dependencies or to troubleshoot issues with cached layers.
Key Points
- No cache Docker Compose can be used to ensure that containers are built with the latest dependencies
- It can help troubleshoot issues with cached layers
- There are several ways to use no cache Docker Compose, including using the `--no-cache` flag, setting the `cache` option to `false`, and using a `docker-compose.yml` file with the `build` option set to `no-cache`
- No cache Docker Compose can be used with other Docker Compose options, such as `--build` and `--force-recreate`
- It's essential to understand the implications of using no cache Docker Compose, including the potential for longer build times and increased resource usage
Method 1: Using the --no-cache
Flag

One way to use no cache Docker Compose is by using the --no-cache
flag when running the docker-compose up
or docker-compose build
command. This flag tells Docker Compose to ignore the cache and rebuild the containers from scratch. Here’s an example of how to use the --no-cache
flag:
docker-compose up --no-cache
This command will rebuild the containers defined in your `docker-compose.yml` file without using the cache.
Example Use Case: Troubleshooting Issues with Cached Layers
If you’re experiencing issues with cached layers, using the --no-cache
flag can help you troubleshoot the problem. By rebuilding the containers from scratch, you can ensure that the issue is not related to cached layers.
Command | Description |
---|---|
`docker-compose up --no-cache` | Rebuilds the containers without using the cache |
`docker-compose build --no-cache` | Builds the containers without using the cache |

Method 2: Setting the cache
Option to false
Another way to use no cache Docker Compose is by setting the cache
option to false
in your docker-compose.yml
file. This will tell Docker Compose to disable the cache for all services defined in the file. Here’s an example of how to set the cache
option to false
:
version: '3' services: web: build:. cache: false
This configuration will disable the cache for the `web` service.
Example Use Case: Ensuring Containers are Built with the Latest Dependencies
If you want to ensure that your containers are built with the latest dependencies, setting the cache
option to false
can help. By disabling the cache, you can ensure that the containers are rebuilt from scratch each time you run Docker Compose.
Method 3: Using a docker-compose.yml
File with the build
Option Set to no-cache
You can also use a docker-compose.yml
file with the build
option set to no-cache
to disable the cache for a specific service. Here’s an example:
version: '3' services: web: build: context:. no-cache: true
This configuration will disable the cache for the `web` service.
Example Use Case: Building Containers with Custom Build Options
If you need to build containers with custom build options, using a docker-compose.yml
file with the build
option set to no-cache
can help. By disabling the cache, you can ensure that the containers are built with the latest dependencies and custom build options.
Method 4: Using the --build
Option with --no-cache

You can also use the --build
option with --no-cache
to rebuild the containers from scratch. Here’s an example:
docker-compose up --build --no-cache
This command will rebuild the containers defined in your `docker-compose.yml` file without using the cache.
Example Use Case: Rebuilding Containers with the Latest Dependencies
If you want to rebuild the containers with the latest dependencies, using the --build
option with --no-cache
can help. By rebuilding the containers from scratch, you can ensure that they are built with the latest dependencies.
Method 5: Using the --force-recreate
Option with --no-cache
Finally, you can use the --force-recreate
option with --no-cache
to force the recreation of the containers from scratch. Here’s an example:
docker-compose up --force-recreate --no-cache
This command will force the recreation of the containers defined in your `docker-compose.yml` file without using the cache.
Example Use Case: Forcing the Recreation of Containers with the Latest Dependencies
If you want to force the recreation of the containers with the latest dependencies, using the --force-recreate
option with --no-cache
can help. By forcing the recreation of the containers from scratch, you can ensure that they are built with the latest dependencies.
What is the difference between --no-cache
and cache: false
?
+
--no-cache
is a flag that can be used with the docker-compose up
or docker-compose build
command to disable the cache for a single command. cache: false
is a configuration option that can be set in the docker-compose.yml
file to disable the cache for all services defined in the file.
How do I enable the cache again after disabling it?
+To enable the cache again, you can simply remove the --no-cache
flag or set the cache
option to true
in the docker-compose.yml
file.
What are the implications of using no cache Docker Compose?
+Using no cache Docker Compose can result in longer build times and increased resource usage, as the containers are rebuilt from scratch each time. However, it can also ensure that the containers are built with the latest dependencies and can help troubleshoot issues with cached layers.