# Automate Your AWS EC2 Docker Workflow with a Simple Bash Script

Managing Docker containers on your EC2 instance doesn't have to be a headache. Remembering lengthy commands and container names can slow you down. What if you could manage everything from a simple, interactive menu?

I've created a straightforward **Bash shell script** that simplifies your Docker workflow. It's a menu-driven tool that puts the most common Docker commands right at your fingertips. Whether you're a Docker veteran or just starting out, this script makes container management easy and efficient.

---

### Step 1: Launch an AWS EC2 Instance and Install Docker

First, you'll need to set up your environment.

1. Log in to your **AWS Management Console**.
    
2. Navigate to the **EC2 dashboard** and launch a new instance.
    
3. Choose the **Amazon Linux 2 AMI** as your operating system.
    
4. Configure your instance and launch it. Make sure you can connect to it using SSH.
    
5. Once connected, run the following commands to install Docker:
    
    Bash
    
    ```bash
    sudo yum update -y
    sudo amazon-linux-extras install docker -y
    sudo service docker start
    sudo usermod -a -G docker ec2-user
    ```
    
6. Log out and log back in to apply the new group permissions. You should now be able to run `docker` commands without `sudo`.
    

---

### Step 2: Create the Docker Automation Script

Now, let's create the script that will be your menu.

1. Create a new file called [`docker-menu.sh`](http://docker-menu.sh) on your EC2 instance using a text editor like `nano`:
    
    Bash
    
    ```bash
    nano docker-menu.sh
    ```
    
2. Copy and paste the script code below into the file.
    
    Bash
    
    ```bash
    #!/bin/bash
    # Docker Automation Script - AWS EC2
    # Author: <your-name>
    # ----- Color codes -----
    RED='\033[0;31m'
    GREEN='\033[0;32m'
    YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
    NC='\033[0m' # No Color
    while true; do
        clear
        echo -e "${YELLOW}=========== Docker Automation Menu ===========${NC}"
        echo "1. Launch a container"
        echo "2. List all containers"
        echo "3. Inspect a container"
        echo "4. Stop a container"
        echo "5. Remove a container"
        echo "6. Prune unused containers"
        echo "7. Show Docker info"
        echo "8. Remove ALL containers (force)"
        echo "9. Exit"
        echo -e "${YELLOW}==============================================${NC}"
        read -p "Enter your choice [1-9]: " choice
        case $choice in
            1)
                echo -e "${GREEN}--- Launch a Container ---${NC}"
                read -p "Enter image name (e.g., nginx:latest): " image
                read -p "Enter container name: " cname
                if docker run -dit --name "$cname" "$image"; then
                    echo -e "${GREEN}Container '$cname' launched successfully!${NC}"
                else
                    echo -e "${RED}Failed to launch container.${NC}"
                fi
                ;;
            2)
                echo -e "${GREEN}--- Listing all containers ---${NC}"
                docker ps -a || echo -e "${RED}Failed to list containers.${NC}"
                ;;
            3)
                echo -e "${GREEN}--- Inspect a Container ---${NC}"
                read -p "Enter container ID/name: " cid
                docker inspect "$cid" || echo -e "${RED}Inspection failed.${NC}"
                ;;
            4)
                echo -e "${GREEN}--- Stop a Container ---${NC}"
                read -p "Enter container ID/name to stop: " cid
                if docker stop "$cid"; then
                    echo -e "${GREEN}Container stopped.${NC}"
                else
                    echo -e "${RED}Failed to stop container.${NC}"
                fi
                ;;
            5)
                echo -e "${GREEN}--- Remove a Container ---${NC}"
                read -p "Enter container ID/name to remove: " cid
                if docker rm "$cid"; then
                    echo -e "${GREEN}Container removed.${NC}"
                else
                    echo -e "${RED}Failed to remove container.${NC}"
                fi
                ;;
            6)
                echo -e "${GREEN}--- Prune Unused Containers ---${NC}"
                read -p "Are you sure you want to prune unused containers? [y/N]: " confirm
                if [[ $confirm == [yY] ]]; then
                    docker container prune -f
                    echo -e "${GREEN}Prune complete.${NC}"
                else
                    echo -e "${YELLOW}Operation cancelled.${NC}"
                fi
                ;;
            7)
                echo -e "${GREEN}--- Docker Information ---${NC}"
                docker info || echo -e "${RED}Could not retrieve Docker info.${NC}"
                ;;
            8)
                echo -e "${RED}--- Remove ALL Containers (Force) ---${NC}"
                read -p "Are you sure you want to REMOVE ALL containers? [y/N]: " confirm
                if [[ $confirm == [yY] ]]; then
                    if docker rm -f $(docker ps -aq) 2>/dev/null; then
                        echo -e "${GREEN}All containers removed!${NC}"
                    else
                        echo -e "${YELLOW}No containers to remove or command failed.${NC}"
                    fi
                else
                    echo -e "${YELLOW}Operation cancelled.${NC}"
                fi
                ;;
            9)
                echo -e "${YELLOW}Exiting...${NC}"
                exit 0
                ;;
            *)
                echo -e "${RED}Invalid choice! Please select 1-9.${NC}"
                ;;
        esac
        echo
        read -p "Press Enter to return to menu..."
    done
    ```
    
3. Save and exit the editor.
    

---

### Step 3: Run the Script

Now, let's make the file executable and run it.

1. Give the file execute permissions using `chmod`:
    
    Bash
    
    ```bash
    chmod +x docker-menu.sh
    ```
    
2. Run the script from your terminal:
    
    Bash
    
    ```bash
    ./docker-menu.sh
    ```
    
    The menu will appear, and you can start managing your containers immediately. This simple automation can make your daily work with Docker much more efficient, allowing you to focus on your projects rather than the commands.
    

This project is a great example of how a little automation can make a big difference.