How to "restart=always" with a fresh container?

[Art]

I understand that "restart=always" will keep the same container (and underlying file system) each time it is restarted. However, I have a situation where what I need is the "restarting" behavior, but with a fresh container and a new instance of the file system.

Is there a way to run a docker container so that it restarts in its pristine, initial condition each time it exits?

Since someone will ask, the particular application is a container that runs a server to do work, and when the work is done the server shuts down. Since it is the entrypoint, it takes the container with it. Rather than restart *that* particular container, I'd like a new container to spring up with everything reset to the starting point.

[Seán C. McCord]

Use the '--rm' option, so that it removes itself after each execution.  It is also advisable to add ExecStartPre statements to 'kill' and 'rm' the container before each execution.  Historically, Docker has not always been successful at honoring the '--rm' option.

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Seán C McCord

CyCore Systems, Inc

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[Art]

Unfortunately, the you can't use both together, so I lose the restart capability if I use --rm:
  Conflicting options: --restart and --rm

[Seán C. McCord]

Sorry, I presumed you were referring to the systemd restart option, not the Docker restart option.  My opinion is to always have the process controller handle restarts.

[Art]

I ended up creating an upstart service to 'docker rm' any pre-existing container, and 'docker run' a new one (with an extra 'docker rm' pre-stop for good measure). It seems to be working as I had intended. Just FYI for anyone finding this thread in the future.

[Ochsenbouillon]

I run into the same issue and would be grateful to know how you created such a upstart service. Can you share a bit more how you did it? Thanks

[clma]

solved - see: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/74549224/how-to-automatically-restart-a-docker-container-with-from-a-clean-image