Download Docker Images with curl
Use curl from any OS to export Docker images without Docker Desktop. Download TAR or ZIP files and move them to USB or offline hosts.
Base URL
https://containerdl.com
Why curl + ContainerDL
API key access
Use a Light/Pro API key for automation.
TAR or ZIP output
Single images export to TAR; stacks export to ZIP.
USB and offline ready
Copy downloads to USB drives or air-gapped servers.
How it works
-
Generate an API key (Light/Pro).
-
POST /v1/exports with curl.
-
Download the TAR from /v1/exports/{id}/download.
Example
Export a public image with curl
curlcurl -X POST https://containerdl.com/v1/exports \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer cdl_live_xxx" \
-d '{"image":"nginx:latest"}'
curl -L https://containerdl.com/v1/exports/{id}/download \
-H "Authorization: Bearer cdl_live_xxx" \
-o nginx.tar- Replace {id} with the export id from the first response.
- Private registry auth is supported only for GHCR and Docker Hub today.
Common use cases
- CI pipelines that need tarball artifacts.
- Air-gapped servers with USB delivery.
- Company laptops without Docker Desktop.
- Automated downloads from scripts.
FAQs
Do I need Docker installed?
No. ContainerDL pulls and packages images for you.
Is an API key required?
Yes for API access. API keys are available on Light and Pro plans.
Do you store credentials?
No. Credentials are never stored or logged.