nerdctl compose supports image volumes

Introduced 2026-09-20 · score 0.96

HOW TO USE IT

When a Compose service needs to mount an image, set its volume `type` to `image` and specify the image reference and mount target. Run `nerdctl compose up` to create and start the project.

services:
  <SERVICE>:
    volumes:
      - type: image
        source: <IMAGE_REFERENCE>
        target: <CONTAINER_PATH>

# From the Compose project directory:
nerdctl compose up

WHY THIS HELPS

Maintain a Compose project that mounts an image volume.

REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS

Version: v2.4.0
services.<SERVICE>.volumes[].type (required): Set to `image` for an image volume.
services.<SERVICE>.volumes[].source (required): Image reference used as the mount source.
services.<SERVICE>.volumes[].target (required): Container path where the image is mounted; the v2.4.0 Compose image-volume docs do not describe this field.
services.<SERVICE>.volumes[].image.subpath: Not supported in v2.4.0.
Prerequisite: Use nerdctl v2.4.0 or later for the released image-volume support.
Prerequisite: nerdctl Compose is documented as requiring nerdctl >= 0.8.

FIRST-PARTY EVIDENCE

Check the installed version and the source before using it. Entry JSON

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nerdctl compose supports image volumes