This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Shushank Gautam
Linux Users — Let’s Set Up Docker (Ubuntu/Debian Style 
)
Installing Docker on Linux works a little differently, but don’t worry — just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a clean Docker setup in no time.
No jargon, no confusion. Just smooth sailing 
Step 1: Update Your System & Install Essentials
Before installing Docker, refresh your package list and install a few tools that help your system download Docker safely:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ca-certificates curl gnupg
ca-certificates → secure downloads
curl → fetches Docker files
gnupg → verifies Docker packages
Step 2: Add Docker’s Official GPG Key
This key ensures the Docker packages you download are authentic and safe.
sudo install -m 0755 -d /etc/apt/keyrings
curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg
sudo chmod a+r /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg
Think of this as Docker’s official signature stamp 
Step 3: Add the Docker Repository
Tell your system where to fetch Docker from — the official Docker source.
echo \
"deb [arch=\"$(dpkg --print-architecture)\" signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu \
"$(. /etc/os-release && echo "$VERSION_CODENAME")" stable" | \
sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null
Boom — your system is now connected to the real Docker repo 
Step 4: Install Docker
The main event!
This installs all important Docker components:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin
Docker is now officially installed on your machine.
What That Big Command Actually Installs
When you run that command, you’re not just installing “Docker”…
You’re installing five tiny superheroes that work together to power the Docker ecosystem 
1. docker-ce — The Heart
The core engine running in the background, keeping containers alive.
2. docker-ce-cli — The Voice
The docker command you use.
You speak → the engine executes.
3. containerd.io — The Worker
Runs container processes.
Docker gives instructions → containerd gets it done.
4. docker-buildx-plugin — The Smart Builder
Builds images faster, cleaner, and even for different platforms.
(Like building ARM images on an Intel laptop )
5. docker-compose-plugin — The Team Manager
Got multiple services (backend + DB + cache)?
Compose runs them all together using a simple YAML file.
Final Picture
These five components together =
Your machine becomes fully Docker-ready.
You can build, run, manage, and connect containers effortlessly.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Shushank Gautam