TL;DR
To fix the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error in Linux, you can try these four solutions:
- Verify if Docker Compose is installed using the command
docker-compose --version
. If not installed, run eithersudo snap install docker
orsudo apt install docker-compose
to install it on your system. - Check the Path Environment Variable using the
echo $PATH
command to make sure the directory containing the Docker Compose binary is in the PATH. If not, add the directory using thesudo nano /etc/environment
command. - Update Docker Compose using the
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install docker-compose
command. - Reinstall Docker Compose by first running the
sudo apt-get remove docker-compose
command and then downloading the latest version from its official website.
Read the full article below for complete details and step by step guide to fix the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error.
Seeing the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error can be frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of important work. But don’t worry, there are solutions, and this post will help you find them. I’ll explain why this error happens and show you easy steps to fix it. You’ll also learn about helpful alternatives and best practices. By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to handle this error and improve your Docker experience.
What Does the Error Mean?
When you see the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error, it means your system can’t find the Docker Compose program. This usually happens because Docker Compose isn’t installed, or the system can’t locate where it’s installed. Think of it like trying to call someone whose number you don’t have in your phone. The call won’t go through because your phone doesn’t know where to direct it.
Why This Error Occurs?
There are several reasons why you might see this error. Understanding these reasons will help you identify and fix the issue quickly.
1. 🚫 Docker Compose Isn’t Installed:
- You might have skipped the installation process.
- The installation might have failed without you noticing.
2. 📂 Incorrect Installation Path:
- Docker Compose might be installed in a directory that isn’t in your system’s search path.
- If the program is in a custom location, your system won’t know where to look for it.
3. 🔧 Missing or Incorrect Environment Variables:
- Environment variables tell your system where to find programs.
- If these variables are missing or incorrectly set, your system won’t find Docker Compose.
4. 🔒 System Permissions:
- This can happen if it’s installed by another user or in a restricted directory.
- You might not have the necessary permissions to access Docker Compose.
How to Fix the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” Error
To fix the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error, first check if Docker Compose is installed by running docker-compose --version
in your terminal. If it’s not installed, you can install it using sudo apt install docker-compose
or sudo snap install docker
.
If it is installed but you still see the error, ensure the binary is in your system’s PATH by adding its directory to the PATH environment variable. Finally, if these steps don’t work, try updating or reinstalling Docker Compose.
Let’s have a look at each of these methods here:
1. Check if Docker Compose is Installed
Before attempting to fix the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error, you should first check if Docker Compose is installed on your Linux system. To do so, follow these steps:
- Open the Terminal app, and run the following command:
docker-compose --version
- If Docker Compose is installed, the version number will be displayed in the terminal. But if the command returns an error message such as “command ‘docker-compose’ not found”, you need to install Docker Compose on your system.

- To install the Docker Compose on your Linux system, you can execute either of the following commands:
sudo snap install docker
sudo apt install docker-compose
- Once the installation is complete, you’ll see the following output:

- In some cases, you might have to restart your Linux system to save and apply the changes made. To do so, execute the following:
sudo reboot
2. Check the Path Environment Variable
If Docker Compose is installed on the system, but the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error still occurs, it may be due to an issue with the PATH environment variable. The PATH environment variable is a system variable that tells the shell which directories to search for executable files.
Follow these steps to check the PATH environment variable:
- Open a terminal window on Linux, then execute:
echo $PATH
- If the directory containing the Docker Compose binary is not in the PATH, the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error will occur.
To fix this issue, add the Docker Compose binary directory to the PATH by following these steps:
- Determine the directory where Docker Compose is installed.
- Run the following command:
sudo nano /etc/environment
- Add the following line to the end of the file:
PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"
- Save the file and exit the editor.
- Restart the Terminal window and run the Docker Compose to see if the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error is resolved.
3. Update Docker Compose
Sometimes, the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error may occur due to an outdated version of Docker Compose. If that’s the case, follow these steps to update Docker Compose to the latest version:
- In the Terminal window, execute the following command:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install docker-compose
- Wait for the installation to complete.

- Type
docker-compose --version
to confirm that the latest version of Docker Compose has been installed. If it is done correctly, it should resolve the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error.
4. Reinstall Docker Compose
If the above methods do not resolve the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error, try reinstalling Docker Compose. Follow these steps to remove Docker Compose from the system completely:
- Run the following command in the Terminal app:
sudo apt-get remove docker-compose
- Enter your user password if prompted.
- Once the uninstallation process is complete, you’ll see the following output.

To reinstall Docker Compose, follow these steps:
- Download the latest version of Docker Compose from its official website.
- Next, open the Terminal app and use the cd command to navigate to the directory where the downloaded file is located.
- Then, run the following commands:
sudo chmod +x docker-compose
sudo mv docker-compose /usr/local/bin
- Now run the Docker Compose to check if the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” issue is resolved.
Top 5 Alternatives to Docker Compose
While Docker Compose is a popular tool for container orchestration, and you can now easily resolve its issues like “Command Not Found: Docker Compose”, it may not be the best fit for every use case. Here are the top 5 alternatives to Docker Compose that you, as a developer, may want to consider:
1. Kubernetes

Kubernetes is a well-known open-source platform for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. It provides a powerful set of features, including auto-scaling, load balancing, and self-healing, making it a great choice for large-scale deployments. It also has a large and active community, with extensive documentation and support available.
For more information on Kubernetes, check out the official Kubernetes documentation.
2. Nomad

Nomad is an open-source platform for deploying and managing containerized and non-containerized applications. It is designed to be simple, flexible, and easy-to-use, making it a great choice for smaller-scale deployments or organisations looking for a more lightweight solution. It’s also highly customizable and supports a wide range of platforms and technologies.
Visit the official Nomad documentation to learn more about Nomad and its features.
3. Ansible

Ansible is a popular open-source tool for automating software provisioning, configuration management, and application deployment. It is known for its simplicity, ease of use, and powerful automation capabilities. It’s a great choice for organizations that want to automate their entire infrastructure, from provisioning servers to deploying applications.
If you want to learn more about Ansible and its capabilities, check out the official Ansible documentation.
4. Red Hat OpenShift

Red Hat OpenShift is a Kubernetes-based platform for building, deploying, and managing containerized applications. It provides integrated tools for building and deploying applications, and it’s available in both on-premises and cloud-based versions. It’s a great choice for organizations that need a comprehensive platform for managing containerized applications.
To gain a deeper understanding of Red Hat OpenShift and how it can benefit your development projects, refer to the official Red Hat OpenShift documentation.
5. Apache Mesos

Apache Mesos is a distributed systems kernel that abstracts CPU, memory, storage, and other resources away from machines, enabling efficient and fault-tolerant management of distributed applications. It is known for its scalability, fault tolerance, and high availability, making it a great choice for large-scale deployments. It’s also highly customizable and supports a wide range of platforms and technologies.
The official Mesos documentation is a great resource for learning more about Apache Mesos and its use cases.
8 Best Practices for Working with Docker Compose
While the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error can be frustrating, it’s important to remember that Docker Compose is a powerful tool that can streamline container orchestration. To make the most of Docker Compose, it’s important to follow a few best practices.
- 🔧 Separate Configuration from Code: Define environment-specific configuration values in separate files to make your Docker Compose files more maintainable and reusable. Use the
env_file
command in your Docker Compose file to reference external environment variable files. - 💉 Use Health Checks: Monitor the health of containers and ensure they are functioning correctly with built-in support for health checks. Add a
healthcheck
configuration in the Docker Compose file to define custom health check commands for your containers. - 📊 Limit Resource Usage: Manage resource usage by defining limits on CPU and memory usage in the Docker Compose file and monitoring performance with tools like cAdvisor or Docker Swarm. Use the
resources
directive under thedeploy
section to set resource limits and reservations. - 💻 Test Containers Locally: Test containers locally to identify and troubleshoot issues before deploying them to production, using Docker Compose to define and run multiple containers at once. Use the
docker-compose up
command to start your containers locally for testing. - 📚 Version Controls: Use version control to manage Docker Compose files and easily track changes over time, collaborate with team members, and revert to previous versions if necessary. Use tools like
git
to manage and track changes in your Docker Compose files. - 🏷️ Descriptive Service: Use descriptive names and image tags when defining services in a Docker Compose file to make it easier to identify and manage containers and ensure the correct version of an image is used. Specify the
image
attribute with a descriptive tag when defining services. - 📝 Monitor Container Logs: Monitor container logs to quickly identify and troubleshoot issues when running containers with Docker Compose. View logs using the
docker-compose logs
command or the-f
flag, or use third-party logging tools for advanced analysis capabilities. - 🔄 Regularly Update Docker Compose: Regularly update Docker Compose to take advantage of new features and bug fixes. Use
pip
or download from the official Docker website, and review release notes periodically to stay informed about changes. Usepip install -U docker-compose
to update Docker Compose using pip.
Wrapping Up
In this article, I’ve shown you how to fix the “Command Not Found: Docker Compose” error by checking the installation, verifying the PATH environment variable, updating Docker Compose, and reinstalling it if needed. I’ve also mentioned alternatives like Kubernetes and Nomad, and shared some best practices.
If you want to learn more, check out these articles:
- Learn how to list Docker containers in Linux to monitor and manage your containers effectively.
- Discover the steps to install Docker on Debian to ensure a smooth initial setup and avoid common installation errors.
- Implementing Docker restart policies can help you automatically manage container restarts and improve system reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Docker Compose important for container orchestration?
What is the difference between Docker Compose and Docker Swarm?
Is Docker Compose compatible with Windows and macOS?
What should I do if I get a “permission denied” error when running Docker Compose?
How can I specify environment variables when using Docker Compose?
services:
my-service:
image: my-image
environment:
MY_VARIABLE: my-value
Can Docker Compose manage containers across multiple hosts?
How can I debug issues with my Docker Compose configuration?
docker-compose config
to validate the syntax of the configuration file. Additionally, you can use the docker-compose logs
command to view logs for individual containers.