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Docker · Directive

SHELL

SHELL sets the default shell used by later shell-form RUN, CMD, and ENTRYPOINT instructions. Use exec-form JSON syntax to name the shell and its arguments.

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Syntax

SHELL ["executable", "parameter"]

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  • RUN
  • CMD
  • ENTRYPOINT
  • FROM
  • ARG
  • escape parser directive

Source: Dockerfile reference. Checked 2026-11-03.