What is the default user for Linux Alpine?

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I believe USER root is correct. The default docker user is typically root.

The closest reference I could find is in the Docker docs for the USER command:
https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/builder/#user

Warning: When the user doesn’t have a primary group then the image (or the next instructions) will be run with the root group.

However, it very easy to find for yourself, using a simple Dockerfile:

FROM python:3.6-alpine
RUN whoami

Will output (either ifdocker is started as root or as a Docker previliged user):

Step 2/2 : RUN whoami #
 ---> Running in 3a8d159404cd
root
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Scott Skiles
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Updated on June 04, 2022

Comments

  • Scott Skiles
    Scott Skiles over 1 year

    I am running a Dockerfile here and want to "change back" to the regular Linux Alpine user, after following this to setup memcached.

    FROM python:3.6-alpine
    
    # Bunch of Linux / Django / Node stuff
    
    COPY boot.sh /boot.sh
    RUN apk --no-cache add memcached && chmod +x /boot.sh
    
    USER memcached
    CMD ["/boot.sh"]
    
    # Change back to default user here
    USER root
    
    ADD docker-entrypoint.sh
    ENTRYPOINT ["/docker-entrypoint.sh"]
    

    What is the syntax for this? I have used USER root for the time being. Is this correct? I don't reference USER anywhere before USER memcached.