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How to resolve – Docker: Invalid reference format pwd

If you have been coming across the docker error invalid reference format error recently, you are in the right place Today, our experts are going to take us through a few troubleshooting tips to help resolve this error.

This error often arises due to a mismatch between the image name in the Dockerfile or the docker command.

A reference in Docker is actually a pointer to a specific image. When we mention an image name within the Dockerfile or docker command, it gets parsed. In order for this to take place seamlessly, the image name has to adhere to certain rules as seen below:

• Docker image should not contain uppercase characters
• ${pwd} AND $(pwd) path
• Long docker command

Let’s take a closer look at each of these rules and how not adhering to them can lead to Docker: Invalid reference format error.

Tip 1: Docker image should not contain uppercase characters

The primary rule for a docker image is that the image name should consist of only lowercase characters. Furthermore, it should not have any spaces in between.

For instance, if we try to build an image with the following image name:

docker build -t bobcares-docker-Sampleimage As a result, we will get the following error message:

Furthermore, we will come across an error message if we use the docker run command with uppercase characters.

Hence, this issue can be resolved by changing the image name to ensure it includes only lowercase characters.

Tip 2: ${pwd} AND $(pwd) path

If the above two troubleshooting tips did not help, check if the docker command uses ${pwd}. If yes, we have to be careful while using ${pwd} and $(pwd) according to the type of shell.

• sh/bash – We have to use $(pwd) within the docker command

  docker run -p 8888:8888 -v `$(pwd)` /../src:/src bobcares-docker-sampleimage
• powershell – We have to use ${pwd} within the docker command

  docker run -p 8888:8888 -v `${pwd}` /../src:/src j bobcares-docker-sampleimage

Tip 3: Long docker command

In case we are using a long docker command, we may have to split it into multiple lines. This should be done based on the shell we are using:

• cmd : For cmd, it is usually ^
• sh/bash : For sh/bash-like shell, we have to use
• powershell : For powershell, we have to use `

If we are running a long Dockerfile or docker command, we have to ensure we are splitting the command using the right character as seen above.

Let us know in the comments which troubleshooting tip helped you resolve the docker invalid reference format error at your end.

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Conclusion

To conclude, our Support Engineers demonstrated three possible reasons behind the Docker: invalid reference format pwd error and how to fix it.