Skip to main content

Cookbook

The Dagger Cookbook provides practical, real-world examples for common development workflows. Each recipe shows you how to solve specific problems using Dagger's features and APIs.

These recipes demonstrate patterns you can adapt for your own projects. They cover everything from basic container operations to advanced CI/CD workflows and AI agent integrations. Use your browser's find function (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) to quickly locate specific topics.

Builds​

Build and compile applications in reproducible container environments. This section contains practical examples for building artifacts (files and directories) with Dagger.

Perform a multi-stage build​

The following Dagger Function performs a multi-stage build.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Build and publish Docker container
func (m *MyModule) Build(
	ctx context.Context,
	// source code location
	// can be local directory or remote Git repository
	src *dagger.Directory,
) (string, error) {
	// build app
	builder := dag.Container().
		From("golang:latest").
		WithDirectory("/src", src).
		WithWorkdir("/src").
		WithEnvVariable("CGO_ENABLED", "0").
		WithExec([]string{"go", "build", "-o", "myapp"})

	// publish binary on alpine base
	prodImage := dag.Container().
		From("alpine").
		WithFile("/bin/myapp", builder.File("/src/myapp")).
		WithEntrypoint([]string{"/bin/myapp"})

	// publish to ttl.sh registry
	addr, err := prodImage.Publish(ctx, "ttl.sh/myapp:latest")
	if err != nil {
		return "", err
	}

	return addr, nil
}

Example​

Perform a multi-stage build of the source code in the golang/example/hello repository and publish the resulting image:

dagger -c 'build https://github.com/golang/example#master:hello'

Perform a matrix build​

The following Dagger Function performs a matrix build.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
	"fmt"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Build and return directory of go binaries
func (m *MyModule) Build(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Source code location
	src *dagger.Directory,
) *dagger.Directory {
	// define build matrix
	gooses := []string{"linux", "darwin"}
	goarches := []string{"amd64", "arm64"}

	// create empty directory to put build artifacts
	outputs := dag.Directory()

	golang := dag.Container().
		From("golang:latest").
		WithDirectory("/src", src).
		WithWorkdir("/src")

	for _, goos := range gooses {
		for _, goarch := range goarches {
			// create directory for each OS and architecture
			path := fmt.Sprintf("build/%s/%s/", goos, goarch)

			// build artifact
			build := golang.
				WithEnvVariable("GOOS", goos).
				WithEnvVariable("GOARCH", goarch).
				WithExec([]string{"go", "build", "-o", path})

			// add build to outputs
			outputs = outputs.WithDirectory(path, build.Directory(path))
		}
	}

	// return build directory
	return outputs
}

Example​

Perform a matrix build of the source code in the golang/example/hello repository and export build directory with go binaries for different operating systems and architectures.

dagger -c 'build https://github.com/golang/example#master:hello | export /tmp/matrix-builds'

Inspect the contents of the exported directory with tree /tmp/matrix-builds. The output should look like this:

/tmp/matrix-builds
└── build
    ├── darwin
    │   ├── amd64
    │   │   └── hello
    │   └── arm64
    │       └── hello
    └── linux
        ├── amd64
        │   └── hello
        └── arm64
            └── hello

8 directories, 4 files

Build multi-arch image​

The following Dagger Function builds a single image for different CPU architectures using native emulation.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Build and publish multi-platform image
func (m *MyModule) Build(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Source code location
	// can be local directory or remote Git repository
	src *dagger.Directory,
) (string, error) {
	// platforms to build for and push in a multi-platform image
	var platforms = []dagger.Platform{
		"linux/amd64", // a.k.a. x86_64
		"linux/arm64", // a.k.a. aarch64
		"linux/s390x", // a.k.a. IBM S/390
	}

	// container registry for the multi-platform image
	const imageRepo = "ttl.sh/myapp:latest"

	platformVariants := make([]*dagger.Container, 0, len(platforms))
	for _, platform := range platforms {
		// pull golang image for this platform
		ctr := dag.Container(dagger.ContainerOpts{Platform: platform}).
			From("golang:1.20-alpine").
			// mount source code
			WithDirectory("/src", src).
			// mount empty dir where built binary will live
			WithDirectory("/output", dag.Directory()).
			// ensure binary will be statically linked and thus executable
			// in the final image
			WithEnvVariable("CGO_ENABLED", "0").
			// build binary and put result at mounted output directory
			WithWorkdir("/src").
			WithExec([]string{"go", "build", "-o", "/output/hello"})

		// select output directory
		outputDir := ctr.Directory("/output")

		// wrap the output directory in the new empty container marked
		// with the same platform
		binaryCtr := dag.Container(dagger.ContainerOpts{Platform: platform}).
			WithRootfs(outputDir)

		platformVariants = append(platformVariants, binaryCtr)
	}

	// publish to registry
	imageDigest, err := dag.Container().
		Publish(ctx, imageRepo, dagger.ContainerPublishOpts{
			PlatformVariants: platformVariants,
		})

	if err != nil {
		return "", err
	}

	// return build directory
	return imageDigest, nil
}

Example​

Build and publish a multi-platform image:

dagger -c 'build https://github.com/golang/example#master:hello'

Build multi-arch image with cross-compliation​

The following Dagger Function builds a single image for different CPU architectures using cross-compilation.

info

This Dagger Function uses the containerd utility module. To run it locally install the module first with dagger install github.com/levlaz/daggerverse/containerd@v0.1.2

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Build and publish multi-platform image
func (m *MyModule) Build(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Source code location
	// can be local directory or remote Git repository
	src *dagger.Directory,
) (string, error) {
	// platforms to build for and push in a multi-platform image
	var platforms = []dagger.Platform{
		"linux/amd64", // a.k.a. x86_64
		"linux/arm64", // a.k.a. aarch64
		"linux/s390x", // a.k.a. IBM S/390
	}

	// container registry for the multi-platform image
	const imageRepo = "ttl.sh/myapp:latest"

	platformVariants := make([]*dagger.Container, 0, len(platforms))
	for _, platform := range platforms {
		// parse architecture using containerd utility module
		platformArch, err := dag.Containerd().ArchitectureOf(ctx, platform)

		if err != nil {
			return "", err
		}

		// pull golang image for the *host* platform, this is done by
		// not specifying the a platform. The default is the host platform.
		ctr := dag.Container().
			From("golang:1.21-alpine").
			// mount source code
			WithDirectory("/src", src).
			// mount empty dir where built binary will live
			WithDirectory("/output", dag.Directory()).
			// ensure binary will be statically linked and thus executable
			// in the final image
			WithEnvVariable("CGO_ENABLED", "0").
			// configure go compiler to use cross-compilation targeting the
			// desired platform
			WithEnvVariable("GOOS", "linux").
			WithEnvVariable("GOARCH", platformArch).
			// build binary and put result at mounted output directory
			WithWorkdir("/src").
			WithExec([]string{"go", "build", "-o", "/output/hello"})

		// select output directory
		outputDir := ctr.Directory("/output")

		// wrap the output directory in the new empty container marked
		// with the same platform
		binaryCtr := dag.Container(dagger.ContainerOpts{Platform: platform}).
			WithRootfs(outputDir).
			WithEntrypoint([]string{"/hello"})

		platformVariants = append(platformVariants, binaryCtr)
	}

	// publish to registry
	imageDigest, err := dag.Container().
		Publish(ctx, imageRepo, dagger.ContainerPublishOpts{
			PlatformVariants: platformVariants,
		})

	if err != nil {
		return "", err
	}

	// return build directory
	return imageDigest, nil
}

Example​

Build and publish a multi-platform image with cross compliation:

dagger -c 'build https://github.com/golang/example#master:hello'

Build image from Dockerfile​

The following Dagger Function builds an image from a Dockerfile.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Build and publish image from existing Dockerfile
func (m *MyModule) Build(
	ctx context.Context,
	// location of directory containing Dockerfile
	src *dagger.Directory,
) (string, error) {
	ref, err := src.
		DockerBuild(). // build from Dockerfile
		Publish(ctx, "ttl.sh/hello-dagger")

	if err != nil {
		return "", err
	}

	return ref, nil
}

Example​

Build and publish an image from an existing Dockerfile

dagger -c 'build https://github.com/dockersamples/python-flask-redis'

Build image from Dockerfile using different build context​

The following function builds an image from a Dockerfile with a build context that is different than the current working directory.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Build and publish image from Dockerfile using a build context directory
// in a different location than the current working directory
func (m *MyModule) Build(
	ctx context.Context,
	// location of source directory
	src *dagger.Directory,
	// location of Dockerfile
	dockerfile *dagger.File,
) (string, error) {

	// get build context with dockerfile added
	workspace := dag.Container().
		WithDirectory("/src", src).
		WithWorkdir("/src").
		WithFile("/src/custom.Dockerfile", dockerfile).
		Directory("/src")

	// build using Dockerfile and publish to registry
	ref, err := workspace.DockerBuild(dagger.DirectoryDockerBuildOpts{
		Dockerfile: "custom.Dockerfile",
	}).Publish(ctx, "ttl.sh/hello-dagger")

	if err != nil {
		return "", err
	}

	return ref, nil
}

Example​

Build an image from the source code in https://github.com/dockersamples/python-flask-redis using the Dockerfile from a different build context, at https://github.com/vimagick/dockerfiles#master:registry-cli/Dockerfile:

dagger -c 'build https://github.com/dockersamples/python-flask-redis https://github.com/vimagick/dockerfiles#master:registry-cli/Dockerfile'

Cache application dependencies​

The following Dagger Function uses a cache volume for application dependencies. This enables Dagger to reuse the contents of the cache across Dagger Function runs and reduce execution time.

package main

import "dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"

type MyModule struct{}

// Build an application using cached dependencies
func (m *MyModule) Build(
	// Source code location
	source *dagger.Directory,
) *dagger.Container {
	return dag.Container().
		From("golang:1.21").
		WithDirectory("/src", source).
		WithWorkdir("/src").
		WithMountedCache("/go/pkg/mod", dag.CacheVolume("go-mod-121")).
		WithEnvVariable("GOMODCACHE", "/go/pkg/mod").
		WithMountedCache("/go/build-cache", dag.CacheVolume("go-build-121")).
		WithEnvVariable("GOCACHE", "/go/build-cache").
		WithExec([]string{"go", "build"})
}

Example​

Build an application using cached dependencies:

dagger -c 'build .'

Execute functions concurrently​

The following Dagger Function demonstrates how to use native-language concurrency features (errgroups in Go, task groups in Python), and promises in TypeScript to execute other Dagger Functions concurrently. If any of the concurrently-running functions fails, the remaining ones will be immediately cancelled.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"

	"golang.org/x/sync/errgroup"
)

// Constructor
func New(
	source *dagger.Directory,
) *MyModule {
	return &MyModule{
		Source: source,
	}
}

type MyModule struct {
	Source *dagger.Directory
}

// Return the result of running unit tests
func (m *MyModule) Test(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
	return m.BuildEnv().
		WithExec([]string{"npm", "run", "test:unit", "run"}).
		Stdout(ctx)
}

// Return the result of running the linter
func (m *MyModule) Lint(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
	return m.BuildEnv().
		WithExec([]string{"npm", "run", "lint"}).
		Stdout(ctx)
}

// Return the result of running the type-checker
func (m *MyModule) Typecheck(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
	return m.BuildEnv().
		WithExec([]string{"npm", "run", "type-check"}).
		Stdout(ctx)
}

// Run linter, type-checker, unit tests concurrently
func (m *MyModule) RunAllTests(ctx context.Context) error {
	// Create error group
	eg, gctx := errgroup.WithContext(ctx)

	// Run linter
	eg.Go(func() error {
		_, err := m.Lint(gctx)
		return err
	})

	// Run type-checker
	eg.Go(func() error {
		_, err := m.Typecheck(gctx)
		return err
	})

	// Run unit tests
	eg.Go(func() error {
		_, err := m.Test(gctx)
		return err
	})

	// Wait for all tests to complete
	// If any test fails, the error will be returned
	return eg.Wait()
}

// Build a ready-to-use development environment
func (m *MyModule) BuildEnv() *dagger.Container {
	nodeCache := dag.CacheVolume("node")
	return dag.Container().
		From("node:21-slim").
		WithDirectory("/src", m.Source).
		WithMountedCache("/root/.npm", nodeCache).
		WithWorkdir("/src").
		WithExec([]string{"npm", "install"})
}

Example​

Execute a Dagger Function which performs different types of tests by executing other Dagger Functions concurrently.

dagger -c 'my-module $(host | directory .) | run-all-tests'

Persist service state across runs​

The following Dagger Function uses a cache volume to persist a Redis service's data across Dagger Function runs.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Create Redis service and client
func (m *MyModule) Redis(ctx context.Context) *dagger.Container {
	redisSrv := dag.Container().
		From("redis").
		WithExposedPort(6379).
		WithMountedCache("/data", dag.CacheVolume("my-redis")).
		WithWorkdir("/data").
		AsService(dagger.ContainerAsServiceOpts{UseEntrypoint: true})

	redisCLI := dag.Container().
		From("redis").
		WithServiceBinding("redis-srv", redisSrv).
		WithEntrypoint([]string{"redis-cli", "-h", "redis-srv"})

	return redisCLI
}

var execOpts = dagger.ContainerWithExecOpts{
	UseEntrypoint: true,
}

// Set key and value in Redis service
func (m *MyModule) Set(
	ctx context.Context,
	// The cache key to set
	key string,
	// The cache value to set
	value string,
) (string, error) {
	return m.Redis(ctx).
		WithExec([]string{"set", key, value}, execOpts).
		WithExec([]string{"save"}, execOpts).
		Stdout(ctx)
}

// Get value from Redis service
func (m *MyModule) Get(
	ctx context.Context,
	// The cache key to get
	key string,
) (string, error) {
	return m.Redis(ctx).
		WithExec([]string{"get", key}, execOpts).
		Stdout(ctx)
}

Example​

  • Save data to a Redis service which uses a cache volume to persist a key named foo with value `123:

    dagger -c 'set foo 123'

  • Retrieve the value of the key foo after recreating the service state from the cache volume:

    dagger -c 'get foo'

Add OCI annotations to image​

The following Dagger Function adds OpenContainer Initiative (OCI) annotations to an image.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"fmt"
	"math"
	"math/rand/v2"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Build and publish image with OCI annotations
func (m *MyModule) Build(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
	address, err := dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithExec([]string{"apk", "add", "git"}).
		WithWorkdir("/src").
		WithExec([]string{"git", "clone", "https://github.com/dagger/dagger", "."}).
		WithAnnotation("org.opencontainers.image.authors", "John Doe").
		WithAnnotation("org.opencontainers.image.title", "Dagger source image viewer").
		Publish(ctx, fmt.Sprintf("ttl.sh/custom-image-%.0f", math.Floor(rand.Float64()*10000000))) //#nosec
	if err != nil {
		return "", err
	}
	return address, nil
}

Example​

Build and publish an image with OCI annotations:

dagger -c build

Add OCI labels to image​

The following Dagger Function adds OpenContainer Initiative (OCI) labels to an image.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"time"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Build and publish image with OCI labels
func (m *MyModule) Build(
	ctx context.Context,
) (string, error) {
	ref, err := dag.Container().
		From("alpine").
		WithLabel("org.opencontainers.image.title", "my-alpine").
		WithLabel("org.opencontainers.image.version", "1.0").
		WithLabel("org.opencontainers.image.created", time.Now().String()).
		WithLabel("org.opencontainers.image.source", "https://github.com/alpinelinux/docker-alpine").
		WithLabel("org.opencontainers.image.licenses", "MIT").
		Publish(ctx, "ttl.sh/my-alpine")

	if err != nil {
		return "", err
	}

	return ref, nil
}

Example​

Build and publish an image with OCI labels:

dagger -c build

Invalidate cache​

The following function demonstrates how to invalidate the Dagger layer cache and force execution of subsequent workflow steps, by introducing a volatile time variable at a specific point in the Dagger workflow.

note
  • This is a temporary workaround until cache invalidation support is officially added to Dagger.
  • Changes in mounted cache volumes or secrets do not invalidate the Dagger layer cache.
package main

import (
	"context"
	"time"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Run a build with cache invalidation
func (m *MyModule) Build(
	ctx context.Context,
) (string, error) {
	output, err := dag.Container().
		From("alpine").
		// comment out the line below to see the cached date output
		WithEnvVariable("CACHEBUSTER", time.Now().String()).
		WithExec([]string{"date"}).
		Stdout(ctx)

	if err != nil {
		return "", err
	}

	return output, nil
}

Example​

Print the date and time, invalidating the cache on each run. However, if the CACHEBUSTER environment variable is removed, the same value (the date and time on the first run) is printed on every run.

dagger -c build

Container Images​

Work with container images and registries. Dagger allows you to build, publish, and export container images, also known as just-in-time artifacts, as part of your Dagger Functions.

Publish a container image to a private registry​

The following Dagger Function publishes a just-in-time container image to a private registry.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"fmt"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Publish a container image to a private registry
func (m *MyModule) Publish(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Registry address
	registry string,
	// Registry username
	username string,
	// Registry password
	password *dagger.Secret,
) (string, error) {
	return dag.Container().
		From("nginx:1.23-alpine").
		WithNewFile(
			"/usr/share/nginx/html/index.html",
			"Hello from Dagger!",
			dagger.ContainerWithNewFileOpts{Permissions: 0o400},
		).
		WithRegistryAuth(registry, username, password).
		Publish(ctx, fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s/my-nginx", registry, username))
}

Examples​

Publish a just-in-time container image to Docker Hub, using the account username user and the password set in the PASSWORD environment variable:

dagger -c 'publish docker.io user env://PASSWORD'

Publish a just-in-time container image to GitHub Container Registry, using the account username user and the GitHub personal access token set in the PASSWORD environment variable:

dagger -c 'publish ghcr.io user env://PASSWORD'

Publish a container image to a private registry with multiple tags​

The following Dagger Function tags a just-in-time container image multiple times and publishes it to a private registry.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"fmt"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Tag a container image multiple times and publish it to a private registry
func (m *MyModule) Publish(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Registry address
	registry string,
	// Registry username
	username string,
	// Registry password
	password *dagger.Secret,
) ([]string, error) {
	tags := [4]string{"latest", "1.0-alpine", "1.0", "1.0.0"}
	addr := []string{}
	ctr := dag.Container().
		From("nginx:1.23-alpine").
		WithNewFile(
			"/usr/share/nginx/html/index.html",
			"Hello from Dagger!",
			dagger.ContainerWithNewFileOpts{Permissions: 0o400},
		).
		WithRegistryAuth(registry, username, password)

	for _, tag := range tags {
		a, err := ctr.Publish(ctx, fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s/my-nginx:%s", registry, username, tag))
		if err != nil {
			return addr, err
		}
		addr = append(addr, a)
	}
	return addr, nil
}

Examples​

Tag and publish a just-in-time container image to Docker Hub, using the account username user and the password set in the PASSWORD environment variable:

dagger -c 'publish docker.io user env://PASSWORD'

Tag and publish a just-in-time container image to GitHub Container Registry, using the account username user and the GitHub personal access token set in the PASSWORD environment variable:

dagger -c 'publish ghcr.io user env://PASSWORD'

Export a container image to the host​

The following Dagger Function returns a just-in-time container. This can be exported to the host as an OCI tarball.

package main

import "dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"

type MyModule struct{}

// Return a container
func (m *MyModule) Base() *dagger.Container {
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithExec([]string{"mkdir", "/src"}).
		WithExec([]string{"touch", "/src/foo", "/src/bar"})
}

Examples​

Load the container image returned by the Dagger Function into Docker:

dagger -c 'base | export-image myimage'

Load the container image returned by the Dagger Function as a tarball to the host fileysystem:

dagger -c 'base | export /home/admin/mycontainer.tgz'

Set environment variables in a container​

The following Dagger Function demonstrates how to set a single environment variable in a container.

package main

import "context"

type MyModule struct{}

// Set a single environment variable in a container
func (m *MyModule) SetEnvVar(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine").
		WithEnvVariable("ENV_VAR", "VALUE").
		WithExec([]string{"env"}).
		Stdout(ctx)
}

The following Dagger Function demonstrates how to set multiple environment variables in a container.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

type EnvVar struct {
	Name  string
	Value string
}

// Set environment variables in a container
func (m *MyModule) SetEnvVars(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine").
		With(EnvVariables([]*EnvVar{
			{"ENV_VAR_1", "VALUE 1"},
			{"ENV_VAR_2", "VALUE 2"},
			{"ENV_VAR_3", "VALUE 3"},
		})).
		WithExec([]string{"env"}).
		Stdout(ctx)
}

func EnvVariables(envs []*EnvVar) dagger.WithContainerFunc {
	return func(c *dagger.Container) *dagger.Container {
		for _, e := range envs {
			c = c.WithEnvVariable(e.Name, e.Value)
		}
		return c
	}
}

Example​

Set a single environment variable in a container:

dagger -c set-env-var

Set multiple environment variables in a container:

dagger -c set-env-vars

Filesystems​

Manage files, directories, and artifacts across your workflows. This section contains practical examples for working with files and directories in Dagger.

Clone a remote Git repository into a container​

The following Dagger Function accepts a Git repository URL and a Git reference. It copies the repository at the specified reference to the /src path in a container and returns the modified container.

note

For examples of SSH-based cloning, including private or public Git repositories with an SSH reference format, select the SSH tabs below. This approach requires explicitly forwarding the host SSH_AUTH_SOCK to the Dagger Function. Learn more about this in Dagger's sandboxed runtime model.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

// Demonstrates cloning a Git repository over HTTP(S).
//
// For SSH usage, see the SSH snippet (CloneWithSsh).
type MyModule struct{}

func (m *MyModule) Clone(ctx context.Context, repository string, ref string) *dagger.Container {
	d := dag.Git(repository).Ref(ref).Tree()

	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithDirectory("/src", d).
		WithWorkdir("/src")
}

Examples

Clone the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to /src in the container:

dagger -c 'clone https://github.com/dagger/dagger 196f232a4d6b2d1d3db5f5e040cf20b6a76a76c5'

Clone the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository at reference 196f232a4d6b2d1d3db5f5e040cf20b6a76a76c5 to /src in the container and open an interactive terminal to inspect the container filesystem:

dagger <<EOF
clone https://github.com/dagger/dagger 196f232a4d6b2d1d3db5f5e040cf20b6a76a76c5 |
  terminal
EOF

Clone over SSH with socket forwarding:

dagger <<EOF
clone-with-ssh git@github.com:dagger/dagger.git 196f232a4d6b2d1d3db5f5e040cf20b6a76a76c5 $SSH_AUTH_SOCK |
  terminal
EOF

Mount or copy a directory or remote repository to a container​

The following Dagger Function accepts a Directory argument, which could reference either a directory from the local filesystem or from a remote Git repository. It mounts the specified directory to the /src path in a container and returns the modified container.

note

When working with private Git repositories, ensure that SSH authentication is properly configured on your Dagger host.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Return a container with a mounted directory
func (m *MyModule) MountDirectory(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Source directory
	source *dagger.Directory,
) *dagger.Container {
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithMountedDirectory("/src", source)
}

An alternative option is to copy the target directory in the container. The difference between these two approaches is that mounts only take effect within your workflow invocation; they are not copied to, or included, in the final image. In addition, any changes to mounted files and/or directories will only be reflected in the target directory and not in the mount sources.

tip

Besides helping with the final image size, mounts are more performant and resource-efficient. The rule of thumb should be to always use mounts where possible.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Return a container with a specified directory
func (m *MyModule) CopyDirectory(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Source directory
	source *dagger.Directory,
) *dagger.Container {
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithDirectory("/src", source)
}

Examples

  • Mount the /myapp host directory to /src in the container and return the modified container:

    dagger -c 'mount-directory ./myapp/'

  • Mount the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to /src in the container and return the modified container:

    dagger -c 'mount-directory https://github.com/dagger/dagger#main'

  • Mount the private user/foo GitHub repository to /src in the container and return the modified container:

    dagger -c 'mount-directory ssh://git@github.com/user/foo#main'

  • Mount the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to /src in the container and list the contents of the directory:

    dagger -c 'mount-directory https://github.com/dagger/dagger#main | directory /src | entries'

  • Copy the /myapp host directory to /src in the container and return the modified container:

    dagger -c 'copy-directory ./myapp/'

  • Copy the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to /src in the container and return the modified container:

    dagger -c 'copy-directory https://github.com/dagger/dagger#main'

  • Copy the private user/foo GitHub repository to /src in the container and return the modified container:

    dagger -c 'copy-directory ssh://git@github.com/user/foo#main'

  • Copy the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to /src in the container and list the contents of the directory:

    dagger -c 'copy-directory https://github.com/dagger/dagger#main | directory /src | entries'

Modify a copied directory or remote repository in a container​

The following Dagger Function accepts a Directory argument, which could reference either a directory from the local filesystem or from a remote Git repository. It copies the specified directory to the /src path in a container, adds a file to it, and returns the modified container.

warning

When a host directory or file is copied or mounted to a container's filesystem, modifications made to it in the container do not automatically transfer back to the host.

Data flows only one way between Dagger operations, because they are connected in a DAG. To transfer modifications back to the local host, you must explicitly export the directory or file back to the host filesystem.

note

When working with private Git repositories, ensure that SSH authentication is properly configured on your Dagger host.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Return a container with a specified directory and an additional file
func (m *MyModule) CopyAndModifyDirectory(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Source directory
	source *dagger.Directory,
) *dagger.Container {
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithDirectory("/src", source).
		WithExec([]string{"/bin/sh", "-c", `echo foo > /src/foo`})
}

Examples

Copy the /myapp host directory to /src in the container, add a file to it, and return the modified container:

dagger -c 'copy-and-modify-directory ./myapp/'

Copy the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to /src in the container, add a file to it, and return the modified container:

dagger -c 'copy-and-modify-directory github.com/dagger/dagger#main'

Copy the private user/foo GitHub repository to /src in the container, add a file to it, and return the modified container:

dagger -c 'copy-and-modify-directory ssh://git@github.com/user/foo#main'

Copy the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to /src in the container, add a file to it, and list the contents of the directory:

dagger -c 'copy-and-modify-directory https://github.com/dagger/dagger#main | directory /src | entries'

Copy a subset of a directory or remote repository to a container using filters specified at run-time​

The following Dagger Function accepts a Directory argument, which could reference either a directory from the local filesystem or a remote Git repository. It copies the specified directory to the /src path in a container, using a filter pattern specified at call-time to exclude specified sub-directories and files, and returns the modified container.

note

When working with private Git repositories, ensure that SSH authentication is properly configured on your Dagger host.

note

This is an example of post-call filtering with directory filters.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Return a container with a filtered directory
func (m *MyModule) CopyDirectoryWithExclusions(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Source directory
	source *dagger.Directory,
	// Exclusion pattern
	// +optional
	exclude []string,
) *dagger.Container {
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithDirectory("/src", source, dagger.ContainerWithDirectoryOpts{Exclude: exclude})
}

Examples

Copy the current host directory to /src in the container, excluding all sub-directories and files starting with dagger, and return the modified container:

dagger -c 'copy-directory-with-exclusions . --exclude=dagger*'

Copy the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to /src in the container, excluding all Markdown files, and list the contents of the directory:

dagger <<EOF
copy-directory-with-exclusions https://github.com/dagger/dagger#main --exclude=*.md |
  directory /src |
  entries
EOF

Copy the private user/foo GitHub repository to /src in the container, excluding all Markdown files, and list the contents of the directory:

dagger <<EOF
copy-directory-with-exclusions ssh://git@github.com/user/foo#main --exclude=*.md |
  directory /src |
  entries
EOF

Copy a subset of a directory or remote repository to a container using pre-defined filters​

The following Dagger Function accepts a Directory argument, which could reference either a directory from the local filesystem or a remote Git repository. It copies the specified directory to the /src path in a container, using pre-defined filter patterns to exclude specified sub-directories and files, and returns the modified container.

note

When working with private Git repositories, ensure that SSH authentication is properly configured on your Dagger host.

note

This is an example of pre-call filtering with directory filters.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Return a container with a filtered directory
func (m *MyModule) CopyDirectoryWithExclusions(
	ctx context.Context,
	// +ignore=["*", "!**/*.md"]
	source *dagger.Directory,
) (*dagger.Container, error) {
	return dag.
		Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithDirectory("/src", source).
		Sync(ctx)
}

Examples

Copy the specified host directory to /src in the container, excluding everything except Markdown files, and return the modified container:

dagger -c 'copy-directory-with-exclusions ../docs'

Copy the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to /src in the container, excluding everything except Markdown files, and list the contents of the /src directory in the container:

dagger -c 'copy-directory-with-exclusions https://github.com/dagger/dagger#main | directory /src | entries'

Mount or copy a local or remote file to a container​

The following Dagger Function accepts a File argument, which could reference either a file from the local filesystem or from a remote Git repository. It mounts the specified file to a container in the /src/ directory and returns the modified container.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"fmt"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Return a container with a mounted file
func (m *MyModule) MountFile(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Source file
	f *dagger.File,
) *dagger.Container {
	name, _ := f.Name(ctx)
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithMountedFile(fmt.Sprintf("/src/%s", name), f)
}

An alternative option is to copy the target file to the container. The difference between these two approaches is that mounts only take effect within your workflow invocation; they are not copied to, or included, in the final image. In addition, any changes to mounted files and/or directories will only be reflected in the target directory and not in the mount sources.

tip

Besides helping with the final image size, mounts are more performant and resource-efficient. The rule of thumb should be to always use mounts where possible.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"fmt"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Return a container with a specified file
func (m *MyModule) CopyFile(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Source file
	f *dagger.File,
) *dagger.Container {
	name, _ := f.Name(ctx)
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithFile(fmt.Sprintf("/src/%s", name), f)
}

Examples

Mount the /home/admin/archives.zip file on the host to the /src directory in the container and return the modified container:

dagger -c 'mount-file /home/admin/archives.zip'

Mount the README.md file from the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to the /src directory in the container:

dagger -c 'mount-file https://github.com/dagger/dagger.git#main:README.md'

Mount the README.md file from the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to the /src directory in the container and display its contents:

dagger <<EOF
mount-file https://github.com/dagger/dagger.git#main:README.md |
  file /src/README.md |
  contents
EOF

Copy the /home/admin/archives.zip file on the host to the /src directory in the container and return the modified container:

dagger -c 'copy-file /home/admin/archives.zip'

Copy the /home/admin/archives.zip file on the host to the /src directory in the container and list the contents of the directory:

dagger -c 'copy-file /home/admin/archives.zip | directory /src | entries'

Copy the README.md file from the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to the /src directory in the container:

dagger -c 'copy-file https://github.com/dagger/dagger.git#main:README.md'

Copy the README.md file from the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository to the /src directory in the container and display its contents:

dagger <<EOF
copy-file https://github.com/dagger/dagger.git#main:README.md |
  file /src/README.md |
  contents
EOF

Copy a file to the Dagger module runtime container for custom processing​

The following Dagger Function accepts a File argument and copies the specified file to the Dagger module runtime container. This makes it possible to add one or more files to the runtime container and manipulate them using custom logic.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
	"fmt"
	"os"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Copy a file to the Dagger module runtime container for custom processing
func (m *MyModule) CopyFile(ctx context.Context, source *dagger.File) {
	source.Export(ctx, "foo.txt")
	// your custom logic here
	// for example, read and print the file in the Dagger Engine container
	fmt.Println(os.ReadFile("foo.txt"))
}

Examples

Copy the data.json host file to the runtime container and process it:

dagger -c 'copy-file ../data.json'

Export a directory or file to the host​

The following Dagger Functions return a just-in-time directory and file. These outputs can be exported to the host with dagger call ... export ....

note

When a host directory or file is copied or mounted to a container's filesystem, modifications made to it in the container do not automatically transfer back to the host. Data flows only one way between Dagger operations, because they are connected in a DAG. To transfer modifications back to the local host, you must explicitly export the directory or file back to the host filesystem.

package main

import "dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"

type MyModule struct{}

// Return a directory
func (m *MyModule) GetDir() *dagger.Directory {
	return m.Base().
		Directory("/src")
}

// Return a file
func (m *MyModule) GetFile() *dagger.File {
	return m.Base().
		File("/src/foo")
}

// Return a base container
func (m *MyModule) Base() *dagger.Container {
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithExec([]string{"mkdir", "/src"}).
		WithExec([]string{"touch", "/src/foo", "/src/bar"})
}

Examples​

  • Export the directory returned by the Dagger Function to the /home/admin/export path on the host:

    dagger -c 'get-dir | export /home/admin/export'

  • Export the file returned by the Dagger Function to the /home/admin/myfile path on the host:

    dagger -c 'get-file | export /home/admin/myfile'

Request a file over HTTP/HTTPS and save it in a container​

package main

import (
	"context"
	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

func (m *MyModule) ReadFileHttp(
	ctx context.Context,
	url string,
) *dagger.Container {
	file := dag.HTTP(url)
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithFile("/src/myfile", file)
}

Examples

Request the README.md file from the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository over HTTPS, save it as /src/myfile in the container, and return the container:

dagger -c 'read-file-http https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dagger/dagger/refs/heads/main/README.md'

Request the README.md file from the public dagger/dagger GitHub repository over HTTPS, save it as /src/myfile in the container, and display its contents:

dagger <<EOF
read-file-http https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dagger/dagger/refs/heads/main/README.md |
  file /src/myfile |
  contents
EOF

Set a module-wide default path​

The following Dagger module uses a constructor to set a module-wide Directory argument and point it to a default path on the host. This eliminates the need to pass a common Directory argument individually to each Dagger Function in the module. If required, the default path can be overridden by specifying a different Directory value at call time.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct {
	Source *dagger.Directory
}

func New(
	// +defaultPath="."
	source *dagger.Directory,
) *MyModule {
	return &MyModule{
		Source: source,
	}
}

func (m *MyModule) Foo(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error) {
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine:latest").
		WithMountedDirectory("/app", m.Source).
		Directory("/app").
		Entries(ctx)
}

Examples

Call the Dagger Function without arguments. The default path (the current directory .) is used:

dagger -c foo

Call the Dagger Function with a constructor argument. The specified directory (/src/myapp) is used:

dagger -c 'my-module --source $(host | directory /src/myapp) | foo'

Services​

Integrate external services into your workflows (databases, caches, APIs). This section contains practical examples for working with services in Dagger.

Bind and use services in Dagger Functions​

The first Dagger Function below creates and returns an HTTP service. This service is bound and used from a different Dagger Function, via a service binding using an alias like www.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Start and return an HTTP service
func (m *MyModule) HttpService() *dagger.Service {
	return dag.Container().
		From("python").
		WithWorkdir("/srv").
		WithNewFile("index.html", "Hello, world!").
		WithExposedPort(8080).
		AsService(dagger.ContainerAsServiceOpts{Args: []string{"python", "-m", "http.server", "8080"}})
}

// Send a request to an HTTP service and return the response
func (m *MyModule) Get(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
	return dag.Container().
		From("alpine").
		WithServiceBinding("www", m.HttpService()).
		WithExec([]string{"wget", "-O-", "http://www:8080"}).
		Stdout(ctx)
}

Example​

Send a request from one Dagger Function to a bound HTTP service instantiated by a different Dagger Function:

dagger -c get

Expose services in Dagger Functions to the host​

The Dagger Function below creates and returns an HTTP service. This service can be used from the host.

package main

import (
	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Start and return an HTTP service
func (m *MyModule) HttpService() *dagger.Service {
	return dag.Container().
		From("python").
		WithWorkdir("/srv").
		WithNewFile("index.html", "Hello, world!").
		WithExposedPort(8080).
		AsService(dagger.ContainerAsServiceOpts{Args: []string{"python", "-m", "http.server", "8080"}})
}

Examples​

  • Expose the HTTP service instantiated by a Dagger Function to the host on the default port:
dagger -c 'http-service | up'

Access the service from the host:

curl localhost:8080
  • Expose the HTTP service instantiated by a Dagger Function to the host on a different host port:
dagger -c 'http-service | up --ports 9000:8080'

Access the service from the host:

curl localhost:9000

Expose host services to Dagger Functions​

The following Dagger Function accepts a Service running on the host, binds it using an alias, and creates a client to access it via the service binding. This example uses a MariaDB database service running on host port 3306, aliased as db in the Dagger Function.

note

This implies that a service is already listening on a port on the host, out-of-band of Dagger.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Send a query to a MariaDB service and return the response
func (m *MyModule) UserList(
	ctx context.Context,
	// Host service
	svc *dagger.Service,
) (string, error) {
	return dag.Container().
		From("mariadb:10.11.2").
		WithServiceBinding("db", svc).
		WithExec([]string{"/usr/bin/mysql", "--user=root", "--password=secret", "--host=db", "-e", "SELECT Host, User FROM mysql.user"}).
		Stdout(ctx)
}

Example​

Send a query to the database service listening on host port 3306 and return the result as a string:

dagger -c 'user-list tcp://localhost:3306'

Use service endpoints​

The following Dagger Function starts a service manually, then retrieves its endpoint and sends a request. This example uses a NGINX HTTP service running on host port 80.

package main

import (
	"context"
	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

func (m *MyModule) Get(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
	// Start NGINX service
	service := dag.Container().From("nginx").WithExposedPort(80).AsService()
	service, err := service.Start(ctx)
	if err != nil {
		return "", err
	}

	// Wait for service endpoint
	endpoint, err := service.Endpoint(ctx, dagger.ServiceEndpointOpts{Scheme: "http", Port: 80})
	if err != nil {
		return "", err
	}

	// Send HTTP request to service endpoint
	return dag.HTTP(endpoint).Contents(ctx)
}

Example​

Send a query to the HTTP service listening on host port 80 and return the result as a string:

dagger -c get

Create a transient service for unit tests​

The following Dagger Function creates a service and binds it to an application container for unit testing. In this example, the application being tested is Drupal. Drupal includes a large number of unit tests, including tests which depend on an active database service. This database service is created on-the-fly by the Dagger Function.

package main

import (
	"context"

	"dagger/my-module/internal/dagger"
)

type MyModule struct{}

// Run unit tests against a database service
func (m *MyModule) Test(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
	mariadb := dag.Container().
		From("mariadb:10.11.2").
		WithEnvVariable("MARIADB_USER", "user").
		WithEnvVariable("MARIADB_PASSWORD", "password").
		WithEnvVariable("MARIADB_DATABASE", "drupal").
		WithEnvVariable("MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD", "root").
		WithExposedPort(3306).
		AsService(dagger.ContainerAsServiceOpts{UseEntrypoint: true})

	// get Drupal base image
	// install additional dependencies
	drupal := dag.Container().
		From("drupal:10.0.7-php8.2-fpm").
		WithExec([]string{"composer", "require", "drupal/core-dev", "--dev", "--update-with-all-dependencies"})

	// add service binding for MariaDB
	// run kernel tests using PHPUnit
	return drupal.
		WithServiceBinding("db", mariadb).
		WithEnvVariable("SIMPLETEST_DB", "mysql://user:password@db/drupal").
		WithEnvVariable("SYMFONY_DEPRECATIONS_HELPER", "disabled").
		WithWorkdir("/opt/drupal/web/core").
		WithExec([]string{"../../vendor/bin/phpunit", "-v", "--group", "KernelTests"}).
		Stdout(ctx)
}

Example​

Run Drupal's unit tests, instantiating a database service during the process:

dagger -c test

Start and stop services​</