Docker exec it mycontainer bash. The -i flag keeps input open to the container, and the -t flag creates a pseudo-terminal to which the shell can attach. $ docker exec -it <container> /bin/bash # Use this If you need to start an interactive shell inside a Docker Container, perhaps to explore the filesystem or debug running processes, use docker exec with the -i and -t flags. You can run a command in a running container using docker exec [OPTIONS] CONTAINER COMMAND [ARG]: docker exec mycontainer /path/to/test. sh And to run from a bash session: docker exec -it mycontainer /bin/bash By default docker exec command runs in the same working directory set when the container was created. With the bash Shell. For example, to run bash inside a container: docker exec -it <mycontainer> sh docker run --rm -it --entrypoint bash <image-name-or-id> Or to prevent the above container from being disposed, run it without --rm. If bash is present, execute: docker exec -it my_container bash In order to start a Bash shell in a Docker container, execute the “docker exec” command with the “-it” option and specify the container ID as well as the path to the bash shell. $ docker exec -it mycontainer pwd / You can specify an alternative working directory for the command to execute using the --workdir option (or the -w shorthand): The docker exec command is probably what you are looking for; this will let you run arbitrary commands inside an existing container. Or to enter a running container, use exec instead: docker exec -it <container-name-or-id> bash There are two main ways to get an interactive shell session using docker exec: 1. First, verify bash is installed in the container image with: docker exec my_container which bash. The most common interactive shell is bash. $ docker exec -it <container> /bin/bash # Use this . If the Bash is part of your PATH, you can simply type “bash” and have a Bash terminal in your container. If you need to start an interactive shell inside a Docker Container, perhaps to explore the filesystem or debug running processes, use docker exec with the -i and -t flags. ltmikjlwmlluupuotlgilzvztfbykksnayxksquylvrxhxfqfwudll