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Podman Tutorial Zero to Hero | Full 1 Hour Course

3 min read 19 days ago

Published on Aug 13, 2025 This response is partially generated with the help of AI. It may contain inaccuracies.

Table of Contents

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to using Podman, a powerful and daemonless tool for managing containers similar to Docker. Designed for developers and system administrators, this step-by-step guide will help you understand the fundamentals of Podman and how to effectively utilize it for container management.

Step 1: Install Podman

To get started with Podman, you need to install it on your Linux system.

Update your package manager:
- For Ubuntu/Debian:
```
sudo apt-get update
```
- For CentOS/RHEL:
```
sudo yum update
```

Install Podman:

For Ubuntu/Debian:
```
sudo apt-get install podman
```
For CentOS/RHEL:
```
sudo yum install podman
```

Verify installation:
- Check the installed version by running:
```
podman --version
```

Step 2: Understanding Podman Architecture

Podman operates without a daemon and instead uses a command-line interface (CLI) to manage containers. This architecture offers several benefits:

Daemonless: No background service is needed, which simplifies security and resource management.
Rootless mode: Allows users to run containers without elevated privileges, enhancing security.
Compatible with Docker: Most Docker commands can be used with Podman.

Step 3: Basic Podman Commands

Familiarize yourself with some essential Podman commands to manage your containers effectively.

Pull an image:
- To download an image from a container registry, use:
```
podman pull <image-name>
```
Run a container:
- To create and start a container from an image:
```
podman run -d --name <container-name> <image-name>
```
- The -d flag runs the container in detached mode.
List running containers:
- To see all currently running containers, use:
```
podman ps
```
Stop a container:
- To stop a running container:
```
podman stop <container-name>
```
Remove a container:
- To delete a stopped container:
```
podman rm <container-name>
```

Step 4: Creating and Managing Images

Learn how to build and manage container images with Podman.

Create a container image:
- Use a Containerfile (similar to Dockerfile) to define your image:
```
FROM ubuntu
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y python3
CMD ["python3"]
```
Build the image:
- Navigate to the directory containing your Containerfile and run:
```
podman build -t <image-name> .
```
Push the image to a registry:
- To upload your image to a container registry, use:
```
podman push <image-name> <registry-url>
```

Step 5: Using Podman in Rootless Mode

Running Podman in rootless mode enhances security by allowing users to manage containers without administrative privileges.

Enable rootless mode:
- Ensure your user has the necessary permissions and then run:
```
podman run --userns=keep-id <image-name>
```
Manage containers:
- Use the same Podman commands as above to manage your containers in rootless mode.

Conclusion

Podman is a versatile tool for managing containers without the overhead of a daemon. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can install Podman, understand its architecture, and start using it effectively for your container management needs. As you become more familiar with Podman, consider exploring advanced features such as networking and volume management for a more robust container environment.

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