Docker Clear System Data

Clearing Docker’s cache can mean a few different things depending on what you want to remove — build cache, unused images, stopped containers, or volumes. Here’s a complete guide.

1. Clear the Build Cache

When you build images, Docker keeps layers cached to speed up future builds.

To clear just that cache:

docker builder prune

To remove all build cache (even from unused builders):

docker builder prune -a

You’ll be prompted for confirmation — add -f to skip it:

docker builder prune -a -f

2. Remove Unused Data (Safe Global Cleanup)

This removes:

• stopped containers
• unused networks
• dangling images
• build cache

Run:

docker system prune

For a more aggressive cleanup (includes unused images and volumes):

docker system prune -a --volumes

Be careful — this deletes everything not actively in use by a running container.

3. Remove All Containers, Images, and Volumes

If you want a total reset:

docker stop $(docker ps -aq)
docker rm $(docker ps -aq)
docker rmi -f $(docker images -q)
docker volume rm $(docker volume ls -q)

4. Check Disk Usage Before/After

See what’s taking space:

docker system df

Common cleanup combo (safe and effective)

docker system prune -a --volumes -f
docker builder prune -a -f