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Docker Compose Validator

docker-compose.yml0 lines
Validation Results

Paste a docker-compose.yml to validate

Or click "Load Sample" to try a working example

Validation checks performed

Structure

Validates top-level keys, version format, services presence, and ensures each service is a valid mapping.

Services

Checks image/build presence, valid service keys, port mappings, volume mounts, environment variables, and restart policies.

References

Verifies depends_on targets exist, network references match defined networks, and named volumes are declared.

Common Mistakes

Detects typos (port vs ports, volume vs volumes), circular dependencies, and unusual configuration values.

Last updated:

This tool is provided as-is for convenience. Output should be verified before use in any production or critical context.

Programmatic Access

Docker Compose Validator is also callable as a free HTTP JSON API at https://aidevhub.io/api/docker-compose-validator/ — GET with query parameters or POST with a JSON body, no authentication, CORS enabled, 50 requests/day per IP. Responses return { ok, tool, result, meta }. 

curl -s -X POST https://aidevhub.io/api/docker-compose-validator/ \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"content":"services:\n  web:\n    image: nginx:1.27\n    ports:\n      - 8080:80"}'

Machine-readable contract: /api/tool/docker-compose-validator.json All API endpoints: /agents/ LLM site index: /llms.txt

Agent Invocation

Best Path For Builders

Dedicated API endpoint

Deterministic outputs, machine-safe contracts, and production-ready examples.

Dedicated API

https://aidevhub.io/api/docker-compose-validator/

OpenAPI: https://aidevhub.io/api/openapi.yaml

GET /api/docker-compose-validator/ GET docker-compose-validator
POST /api/docker-compose-validator/ POST docker-compose-validator

Unified Runtime API

https://aidevhub.io/api/tools/run/?toolId=docker-compose-validator&a=...

GET and POST are supported at /api/tools/run/ with identical validation and limits.

Limit: 10 req / 60s, input max 512 KB.

How to Use Docker Compose Validator

  1. 1

    Paste your docker-compose.yml

    Copy your entire docker-compose file and paste it into the validator. It checks YAML syntax and Docker Compose structure immediately.

  2. 2

    Review validation results

    See a list of errors, warnings, and info messages with line numbers. Common issues: undefined services, missing dependencies, invalid syntax.

  3. 3

    Fix common errors

    Errors like 'service not found' indicate a service reference that doesn't exist. 'Invalid version' means your Compose file version is outdated.

  4. 4

    Check service dependencies and networks

    The validator shows which services depend on others and whether they're on the same network. Fix connectivity issues before deploying.

  5. 5

    Verify secrets and volume mounts

    Ensure all volume paths exist and secret names are consistent. The validator flags paths that may not exist or volumes defined incorrectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Docker Compose Validator?
Docker Compose Validator checks your Docker Compose YAML files for structural errors, dependency issues, and common mistakes. It helps DevOps engineers and developers catch configuration problems before deployment.
How do I use Docker Compose Validator?
Paste your docker-compose.yml content into the editor and the tool validates it instantly. It checks YAML syntax, service structure, dependency references, port conflicts, and highlights common mistakes with clear explanations.
What kinds of errors does it detect?
It detects YAML syntax errors, invalid service keys, circular depends_on references, missing referenced services, port conflicts between services, invalid volume mount syntax, and other common Docker Compose configuration mistakes.