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content/manuals/desktop/features/desktop-cli.md
072a95568733b08b9da80229fbed19d252f4b041d52b265800000003000007ec
---
title: Use the Docker Desktop CLI
linkTitle: Docker Desktop CLI
weight: 100
description: How to use the Docker Desktop CLI
keywords: cli, docker desktop, macos, windows, linux
---

{{< summary-bar feature_name="Docker Desktop CLI" >}}

The Docker Desktop CLI lets you perform key operations such as starting, stopping, restarting, and updating Docker Desktop directly from the command line.

The Docker Desktop CLI provides:

- Simplified automation for local development: Execute Docker Desktop operations more efficiently in scripts and tests. 
- An improved developer experience: Restart, quit, or reset Docker Desktop from the command line, reducing dependency on the Docker Desktop Dashboard and improving flexibility and efficiency.

## Usage

```console
docker desktop COMMAND [OPTIONS]
```

## Commands

| Command              | Description                              |
|:---------------------|:-----------------------------------------|
| `start`              | Starts Docker Desktop                    |
| `stop`               | Stops Docker Desktop                     |
| `restart`            | Restarts Docker Desktop                  |
| `status`             | Displays whether Docker Desktop is running or stopped.       |
| `engine ls`          | Lists available engines (Windows only)   |
| `engine use`         | Switch between Linux and Windows containers (Windows only) |
| `update`             | Manage Docker Desktop updates. Available for Mac only with Docker Desktop version 4.38, or all OSs with Docker Desktop version 4.39 and later. |
| `logs`               | Print log entries                        |
| `disable`            | Disable a feature                        |
| `enable`             | Enable a feature                         | 
| `version`            | Show the Docker Desktop CLI plugin version information |
| `module`             | Manage Docker Desktop modules |

For more details on each command, see the [Docker Desktop CLI reference](/reference/cli/docker/desktop/_index.md).
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Title: Introduction to the Docker Desktop CLI
Summary
The Docker Desktop CLI allows users to manage Docker Desktop (start, stop, restart, update) from the command line, enabling automation and improving the developer experience. It provides commands for managing the Docker Desktop application, engine selection (Windows only), updates (Mac only with Docker Desktop version 4.38, or all OSs with Docker Desktop version 4.39 and later), logs, features, version information, and modules. A detailed reference is available.