---
title: "Windows Docker Desktop"
id: "502"
type: "page"
slug: "windows-docker-desktop"
published_at: "2026-06-02T08:02:54+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-09-21T01:36:28+00:00"
url: "https://xedant.com/agents/agent/windows-docker-desktop"
markdown_url: "https://xedant.com/agents/agent/windows-docker-desktop.md"
excerpt: "Docker Desktop is a graphical application for managing Docker containers on Windows. A container is…"
---

# Windows Docker Desktop

[https://xedant.com/agents/agent/windows-docker-desktop.md](https://xedant.com/agents/agent/windows-docker-desktop.md)

Don’t want to read all this? Just drop a link to [https://xedant.com/agents/agent/windows-docker-desktop.md](https://xedant.com/agents/agent/windows-docker-desktop.md)
 or to [https://xedant.com/llms.txt](https://xedant.com/llms.txt)
 into any AI chat (Claude, ChatGPT, etc.) and ask it to generate the config files and commands. It will read the docs, ask you a few questions about your setup, and hand you a ready-to-use configuration. Save time — let the model do the reading for you.

 You can also reach me on Telegram — I’m always glad to help. And that’s not just politeness — I genuinely enjoy talking to like-minded people, especially if you love coding as much as I do.

 Docker Desktop is a graphical application for managing Docker containers on Windows. A container is an isolated environment where the app runs with its own tools and settings, scattering nothing across your system. Docker Desktop takes care of the routine: starting, stopping and viewing containers in an interface, with no command line. It is the simplest way to run Xedant Agent on Windows.

## Installing Docker Desktop

Download Docker Desktop for Windows from [docker.com](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/)
 and run the installer. From there it is simple:

- during installation, enable WSL 2 — containers run faster that way;
- restart the computer when prompted;
- after the restart, Docker Desktop starts on its own.

## Configuring Docker Desktop

Open Docker Desktop settings (the gear icon) and make sure WSL 2 is enabled:

- **General** — the “Use the WSL 2 based engine” checkbox must be on;
- **Resources → WSL Integration** — enable integration for your Linux distributions.

## Setting up the project

Create a folder for your project. Inside it, create a `docker-compose.yml` file following the [Docker Setup guide](/agents/agent/docker)
 — or a `.env` file if you prefer launching with a command. Choose an image — a ready-made bundle of Xedant Agent with tools:

- `registry2.xedant.com/agent:latest` — the full development environment (2.8 GB): includes ASP.NET Core and Node.js development tools;
- `registry2.xedant.com/agent-min:latest` — a compact, full-featured image (570 MB) when ASP.NET Core development tools are not needed: Node.js, Python and everything required are already inside.

## Starting Xedant Agent

Open a terminal (PowerShell, Command Prompt or WSL) in the project folder and start the container:

```
# If you use Docker Compose
docker compose up -d

# If you use Docker CLI with a .env file
docker run -d --env-file .env -p 5001:80 -v ./MyProject:/project registry2.xedant.com/agent:latest
```

The running container appears in the Docker Desktop panel — there you can watch its logs, restart and stop the container with the mouse, no command line.

Open a browser and go to `http://localhost:5001` (or the port you set).

**Need special tools?** If your project uses languages or tools that are not in the image, you can extend it with your own Dockerfile — how to do that is described in the [Extending the image with your own tools](/agents/agent/docker#wp-block-themeisle-blocks-advanced-heading-extimg)
 section of the Docker Setup guide.

## Useful tips

- **What Docker Desktop runs on** — on Windows it uses WSL 2 for better performance. If WSL 2 is not installed yet, the app offers to install it during setup.
- **Where to keep project files** — for Docker speed, keep them in the WSL filesystem rather than on Windows drives. WSL files are reachable from Explorer through `\\wsl$\`.
- **The port won’t open** — WSL 2 forwards ports into Windows on its own, but if `localhost` does not work, get the WSL IP address with `hostname -I` inside WSL and open the address with that IP.
- **More power** — memory and CPU allocation for Docker Desktop is configured in Settings → Resources, when your projects need more resources.

For the detailed Docker configuration (compose files, environment variables, credentials) see the [Docker Setup guide](/agents/agent/docker)
. To install through the native Windows installer, see the [Windows Setup guide](/agents/agent/windows)
. To run Docker in WSL without Docker Desktop, see the [WSL Setup guide](/agents/agent/wsl)
.