Anchor4J

A modern Java client for Docker: fluent API, test-friendly, and Kubernetes-ready.

✅ A fluent, strongly typed API.
✅ Support for building images with and without root access.
✅ Easy integration with CI and tests.
✅ First-class support for capturing stdout/stderr and process exit status.

To get started, add this Maven dependency:

<dependency>
  <groupId>io.github.cowwoc.anchor4j</groupId>
  <artifactId>anchor4j</artifactId>
  <version>0.10</version>
</dependency>

Example

import client.io.github.cowwoc.anchor4j.docker.Docker;

import java.io.IOException;

class Example
{
  public static void main(String[] args)
    throws IOException, InterruptedException
  {
    Docker docker = Docker.connect();

    String imageId = docker.buildImage().
      export(Exporter.dockerImage().build()).
      build(".");

    docker.tagImage(id, "rocket-ship");
    docker.pushImage("rocket-ship").push();
  }
}

Getting Started

See the API documentation for more details.

💖 Support Ongoing Development 💖

If you find this project helpful, please consider sponsoring me. Maintaining quality open-source software takes significant time and effort—especially while balancing family life with young children. Your support helps make this work sustainable.

Missing Features?

The anchor4j API covers a wide range of functionality, and since my time is limited, new features are added based on user requests. If there's a property or capability you'd like to see added, please open a new issue.

Licensing

The modules are dual-licensed:

• ✅ ModernJDK License (free for personal use or small businesses):

  • You may use, modify, and redistribute this software for free when:
    • It is compiled for and executed on the latest generally available (GA) Java Development Kit (JDK) version at the time of deployment.
    • You are an individual or a company with 10 or fewer employees.
    • You do not rebrand or white-label the software.
  • You are not required to update existing deployments when a newer JDK is released.

• 💼 Commercial License:

  • Required for:
    • Compiling, running, or distributing the software for older (non-GA) JDK versions.
    • Use by companies with more than 10 employees.
    • White-labeling or rebranding the library in any form.

Dependencies

• See Third party licenses for the licenses of the dependencies.