Docker & Kubernetes Mastery: Complete Course (2026)
Master Docker and Kubernetes from scratch. 10 lessons covering containers, Dockerfiles, Docker Compose, Kubernetes architecture, and full production deployments.
Containers have fundamentally changed how software is built, shipped, and run. Docker packages your application and all its dependencies into a portable unit that runs identically on any machine. Kubernetes orchestrates those containers at scale — handling deployment, scaling, self-healing, and rollouts automatically.
Together, Docker and Kubernetes are the foundation of modern backend infrastructure. This course takes you from zero to confident with both, with practical examples and real deployment workflows throughout.
What You'll Learn
This course is structured as 10 focused lessons in two parts:
| Lesson | Topic | What You'll Build |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What Is Docker? | Understand containers vs VMs |
| 2 | Install Docker | Docker running on your machine |
| 3 | Images & Containers | Pull and run your first containers |
| 4 | Dockerfile Guide | Build a custom application image |
| 5 | Docker Compose | Multi-container app with a database |
| 6 | What Is Kubernetes? | Understand K8s concepts and use cases |
| 7 | Kubernetes Architecture | Control plane, nodes, and the API |
| 8 | Pods, Deployments & Services | Deploy and expose an application |
| 9 | ConfigMaps & Secrets | Manage configuration and credentials |
| 10 | Deploy Docker App to Kubernetes | Full end-to-end production deployment |
Who This Course Is For
This course is designed for:
- Backend developers who want to understand how their apps are containerised and deployed
- DevOps engineers starting their container journey
- System administrators moving from traditional VMs to container-based infrastructure
- Anyone who has heard about Docker and Kubernetes and wants a structured path in
You need basic Linux command-line comfort (navigating directories, running commands). No prior Docker or Kubernetes experience is required.
Prerequisites
- Basic terminal / command-line usage
- A machine running macOS, Windows, or Linux
- Familiarity with at least one programming language (for reading examples)
Course Structure
Part 1: Docker (Lessons 1–5)
Docker is where the container journey starts. In Part 1 you'll learn what containers are and why they exist, how to install and configure Docker, the relationship between images and containers, how to write a Dockerfile to package your application, and how to orchestrate multi-container apps with Docker Compose.
Start with Lesson 1: What Is Docker?
Part 2: Kubernetes (Lessons 6–10)
Kubernetes takes containers to production. In Part 2 you'll learn the problem Kubernetes solves and its core concepts, the architecture of a Kubernetes cluster, how to deploy and expose applications, how to manage configuration and secrets safely, and a complete deployment workflow from Docker image to running cluster.
Jump to Lesson 6: What Is Kubernetes?
Tools You'll Need
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Docker Desktop | Run Docker on macOS/Windows (includes a local Kubernetes cluster) |
| Docker Engine | Run Docker on Linux |
kubectl | Kubernetes CLI — included with Docker Desktop or installable via package manager |
| minikube or kind | Local Kubernetes cluster for Linux users |
| Any code editor | VS Code with Docker and Kubernetes extensions is recommended |
How to Follow This Course
Each lesson opens with a plain-English explanation of the concept, shows real command-line examples and configuration files, builds a practical component of the course project, and closes with a FAQ covering common beginner questions.
The course project is a simple Node.js web API. You'll containerise it with Docker, add a PostgreSQL database via Compose, then deploy the full stack to Kubernetes with proper configuration management.