Docker has become a crucial part of modern software development and deployment. While we are all aware of Docker’s primary use cases, the flexibility of containerization opens up a host of possibilities in your workflow. Let me share a collection of the weird and wonderful ways I have personally leveraged Docker beyond its typical scope. From unexpected productivity hacks to creative solutions for everyday tech challenges, here are some of my most unconventional Docker use cases.
6 Creating a PKM system
Because why not?
There is no shortage of PKM tools out there. However, I wanted a solution that I can easily self-host without a major learning curve. Here is where I came across Docmost. It feels and looks familiar to Notion – a popular wiki software out there. I can create a workspace and start adding pages to manage my knowledge.
The list of features includes full Markdown support, the ability to embed files from Figma and other popular platforms, real-time collaboration, linking between notes, a rich block editor, and more. Docmost also supports Mermaid language where I can design detailed diagrams in no time.
5 Trying out Linux distros
No harm in trying out Ubuntu alternatives
My old HP Spectre is reaching end-of-life with Windows 10. So, I have been thinking about switching to Linux. But choosing which one felt like a big decision. So, I've been using Docker to try out different Linux distributions first. I can pull images for Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and others, and run them as separate containers. This lets me quickly jump into each one's command line, explore the file system, and even install some basic software without changing my current Windows setup.
After all, there are a number of Linux distros out there, and as someone who has used Windows for a long time, I wanted to avoid several distros as a beginner. This way, I can see how each distribution feels and works before I decide which one to install directly on my Spectre.
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4 Adding Portainer inside Docker desktop
Match made in heaven
Portainer is one of the best ways to manage, oversee, and troubleshoot your containers without terminal commands. Now, if you are using Docker Desktop but prefer the convenience of Portainer, you can easily install it as an extension.
It was surprisingly simple to add – just a quick search within the Extensions Marketplace in Docker Desktop and a click to install. Now, instead of juggling terminal windows and remembering Docker commands, I have this sleek, visual dashboard right within Docker Desktop. I can see all my running containers at a glance, start and stop them with a click, check their logs in a user-friendly interface, and even get a peek at their resource usage.
3 Running an Office suite in a container
LibreOffice to the rescue
Using LibreOffice in a Docker container gives me a portable, isolated, and easily manageable way to access the full office suite on my devices. With a simple image pull, I can unlock Writer, Calc, Impress, and the whole productivity toolkit ready to go. This is super handy if I'm working on different machines or if I just want to keep my main system clean and free from extra installed software.
I can write documents with Writer, crunch numbers with Calc, create presentations with Impress, make drawings with Draw, manage databases with Base, and work with mathematical formulas using Math. Of course, LibreOffice doesn’t rival Microsoft 365, but the features on offer are sufficient for my workflow.
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2 Using IT Tools
To convert Docker Run to Docker compose
IT Tools is like my Swiss Army Knife for all sorts of network and system-related tasks. What I love about it is that it bundles a whole heap of useful utilities into one self-contained package and saves me from installing a bunch of individual tools directly on my server. For instance, if I quickly need to check if a website is up, I can just hop into the container's web interface and use its online status checker.
But the feature that really shines for me, especially as someone who's constantly playing around with Docker, is its ability to convert docker run commands into docker-compose files. This feature alone makes the IT Tools container a must-have. Other goodies include a QR code generator, a ULID generator, a color converter, Markdown to HTML, and more.
1 Converting dangerous images and documents into safe PDFs
Ever heard of Dangerzone?
Dealing with files from unknown or untrusted sources can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially with all the potential for hidden malware. That's where Dangerzone has become a really valuable tool in my workflow. The core idea behind Dangerzone is to take those potentially harmful files – documents, images, whatever – and convert them into a safe PDF format. The clever part is how it uses Docker under the hood to achieve this isolation and safety.
When I feed a potentially risky file into Dangerzone, it doesn't process it directly on my main system. Instead, it spins up a temporary, isolated Docker container to get the job done (that’s why it requires Docker Desktop on a system to run it). Once the conversion is complete, Dangerzone extracts the resulting PDF from the container and presents it to me.
Docker gone wild
From creating a personal wiki to experimenting with Linux distros, I have explored some of the less conventional ways I've integrated Docker into my workflows. Basically, I wanted to highlight the power and flexibility of containerization when applied with a slightly unconventional mindset. As Docker continues to evolve, I'm excited to see what other unexpected applications will emerge. Go ahead, experiment, and create effective solutions in no time. Meanwhile, check out these containers to boost your productivity.