1. In the Docker Desktop Dashboard, select the global search at the top of the window.
   2. Specify `mysql` in the search box, and select the **Images** tab if not
      already selected.
   3. Hover over the **mysql** image and select **Run**.
      The **Run a new container** modal appears.
   4. Expand **Optional settings**.
   5. In the optional settings, specify the following:

      - **Container name**: `my-mysql`
      - **Environment variables**:
        - `MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD`:`my-secret-pw`
        - `MYSQL_DATABASE`:`mydb`
      - **Volumes**:
        - `my-db-volume`:`/var/lib/mysql`

      ![The optional settings screen with the options specified.](images/databases-3.webp)

   6. Select `Run`.

5. Verify that the table you created still exists.

   1. In the **Containers** view, next to your container select the **Show
      container actions** icon, and then select **Open in terminal**.
   2. Run the following command in the container's terminal to verify that table
      you created still exists.

      ```console
      # mysql -u root -pmy-secret-pw -e "SELECT * FROM mydb.mytable;"
      ```

      This command uses the `mysql` tool in the container to select all the
      records from the `mytable` table.

      You should see output like the following.

      ```console
      column_name
      value
      ```

{{< /tab >}}
{{< /tabs >}}

At this point, any MySQL container that mounts the `my-db-volume` will be able
to access and save persisted data.

## Build a customized database image

Customizing your database image lets you include additional configuration,
scripts, or tools alongside the base database server. This is particularly
useful for creating a Docker image that matches your specific development or
production environment needs. The following example outlines how to build and
run a custom MySQL image that includes a table initialization script.

Before you begin, you must remove any containers you previously ran for this
guide. To stop and remove a container, either:

- In a terminal, run `docker remove --force my-mysql` to remove the container
  named `my-mysql`.
- Or, in the Docker Desktop Dashboard, select the **Delete** icon next to your
  container in the **Containers** view.

To build and run your custom image:

1. Create a Dockerfile.

   1. Create a file named `Dockerfile` in your project directory. For this
      example, you can create the `Dockerfile` in an empty directory of your
      choice. This file will define how to build your custom MySQL image.
   2. Add the following content to the `Dockerfile`.

      ```dockerfile
      # syntax=docker/dockerfile:1

      # Use the base image mysql:latest
      FROM mysql:latest

      # Set environment variables
      ENV MYSQL_DATABASE mydb

      # Copy custom scripts or configuration files from your host to the container
      COPY ./scripts/ /docker-entrypoint-initdb.d/
      ```

      In this Dockerfile, you've set the environment variable for the MySQL
      database name. You can also use the `COPY` instruction to add custom
      configuration files or scripts into the container. In this
      example, files from your host's `./scripts/` directory are copied into the
      container's `/docker-entrypoint-initdb.d/` directory. In this directory,
      `.sh`, `.sql`, and `.sql.gz` scripts are executed when the container is
      started for the first time. For more details about Dockerfiles, see the
      [Dockerfile reference](/reference/dockerfile/).

   3. Create a script file to initialize a table in the database. In the
      directory where your `Dockerfile` is located, create a subdirectory named
      `scripts`, and then create a file named `create_table.sql` with the
      following content.

   ```text
   CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS mydb.myothertable (
     column_name VARCHAR(255)
   );

   INSERT INTO mydb.myothertable (column_name) VALUES ('other_value');
   ```

   You should now have the following directory structure.