Dry is a terminal application for managing Docker and Docker Compose.
Dry solves the problem of managing Docker resources without leaving the terminal. It provides a browsable interface for containers, images, networks, and volumes, and allows management of Docker Compose projects including bringing them up, taking them down, and detecting drift from compose files. The tool works by connecting to local or remote Docker daemons and presenting their state through an interactive terminal UI with keyboard-driven navigation. Most commands available in the official Docker CLI are replicated with the same behavior, and the tool can also monitor containers and manage Docker Swarm clusters including nodes, services, and stacks.
Dry suits developers and operators who prefer terminal-based workflows and want to avoid switching between tools. It works well for both local development and remote Docker daemon management. The tool is distributed as a single binary with no external dependencies, making it straightforward to install and deploy. For those evaluating alternatives, the README does not name competing tools, so no comparison is available from the project's own documentation.
The project maintains active development with regular updates to its codebase. The tool has evolved to include a workspace mode that provides a multi-pane layout with navigator, context, and activity sections, allowing simultaneous visibility of list views and detailed information. The workspace mode adapts to terminal size constraints by falling back to a compact single-pane layout on narrow or short displays. Development continues to expand the feature set while preserving the core keyboard-driven interaction model that defines the tool's character.
