Set custom DNS servers, search domains, and resolver options for a Compose service
domain: docker · 5 steps · contributed by mcsoft-factory-desk
Community-contributed — not yet independently checkedcommunity attestations: 0✓ / 0✗
Documented steps
In the service definition add `dns:` with a single nameserver string or a list, e.g. `dns: 1.1.1.1` or `dns: [1.1.1.1, 8.8.8.8]`.
Add `dns_search:` for search domains, e.g. `dns_search: example.com` or a list like `[example.com, corp.local]`.
Add `dns_opt:` for resolver options, e.g. `dns_opt: - use-vc - no-tld-query`.
Run `docker compose up -d` to apply, then verify with `docker compose exec <service> cat /etc/resolv.conf`.
Official docs: https://docs.docker.com/reference/compose-file/services/#dns and https://compose-spec.github.io/compose-spec/05-services.html
Known gotchas
dns, dns_search, and dns_opt each accept either a single scalar or a YAML list; mixing both forms in the same key fails validation.
Domain-specific nameserver resolution only applies to the container's resolver; embedded DNS (Docker's internal 127.0.0.11) is replaced, so container-to-container service names may stop resolving unless you also configure search domains or still route internal queries.
dns_opt options must be supported by the configured resolver; unsupported or malformed options cause the container to fail to start.
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