Learn how to build and push multi-platform Docker images using buildx docker compose with simple commands, clear examples, and practical setup. Our Docker Support Team is always here to help you.

Build Multi-Platform Images with Buildx Docker Compose

Creating container images that work across different platforms is no longer optional. Many developers want their applications to run on both x86_64 and ARM systems without maintaining separate builds just as they compare LXD vs Docker. This is where buildx docker compose comes into play. By combining Docker Compose with Buildx, you can generate multi-platform images quickly and push them to your registry with minimal effort.

Let’s walk through how you can achieve this without skipping any details.

Install Docker Buildx

The first thing to check is if Buildx is already installed. You can verify that with:

# Install Buildx CLI plugin

docker buildx version

If it’s missing, install it as a Docker CLI plugin. The official Docker documentation provides the steps, and once set up, you’re ready to move forward.

Create a Docker Compose File

Next, create a docker-compose.yml file. This file defines your service, its build context, Dockerfile, and any build arguments. For example:

version: '3'

services:

myapp:

build:

context: .

dockerfile: Dockerfile

args:

- BASE_IMAGE=myapp-base

ports:

- "8080:80"

Here, the service myapp uses a Dockerfile with a configurable base image and maps port 8080 to 80.

Create a Multi-Platform Dockerfile

Now, place a Dockerfile in the same directory. This file should support multiple platforms. Buildx provides BUILDPLATFORM and TARGETPLATFORM as build arguments to help with architecture detection.

ARG BASE_IMAGE

FROM ${BASE_IMAGE}

# Add your application-specific setup here

This keeps things flexible so that your builds adapt to the platform you target.

Build the Multi-Platform Image

With both the Compose file and Dockerfile ready, it’s time to build. Use the following command:

docker-compose build --platform <platform-list>

Replace <platform-list> with the platforms you want. For instance, building for both amd64 and arm64 would look like this:

docker-compose build --platform linux/amd64,linux/arm64

Here’s where the strength of buildx docker compose shows, you get separate image variants for each architecture without manual work.

Push the Multi-Platform Image

Finally, if you want these images available on your registry, push them with: docker container

docker-compose push

Ensure you are logged in to the registry before pushing. With this, your multi-platform images are ready to be used anywhere.

[If needed, Our team is available 24/7 for additional assistance.]

Conclusion

Building for multiple platforms doesn’t have to be complicated. Using buildx docker compose, you set up once and build images that run on different architectures with ease. By following the process, install Buildx, prepare your Compose file, create a multi-platform Dockerfile, build for your targets, and push to the registry, you’ll save time and maintain cleaner workflows.

The next time you need to distribute your app broadly, remember that buildx docker compose is the most straightforward way to achieve it.