Creating a Docker connection

Learn how to create a Docker connection for accessing Docker container logs.

Prerequisites

• Access to a Docker daemon (local or remote)
• Docker socket access or remote API endpoint
• global_create_connection permission (Global Admin role)

Step 0: Open form

Navigate to Connections → New.

Step 1: Target

Select Docker as the connection kind and fill in the connection parameters:

Address – Docker daemon socket URL

• Local: unix:///var/run/docker.sock
• Remote: tcp://<host>:<port> (e.g., tcp://docker-host:2375)

Test before saving

Click “Test connection” to verify access to the Docker daemon before proceeding.

Step 2: Naming

• Name – Connection name (e.g., “Production Docker”, “Staging Docker”)
• Description – Optional description explaining which Docker host this connection accesses

Step 3: Review & Create

Review your configuration and click “Create” to save the connection.

Best practices

1. Use local socket when Telescope runs on the same host as Docker
2. Secure remote connections with TLS when connecting to remote Docker daemons
3. Use descriptive names indicating which Docker host/environment
4. Document purpose in description field
5. Separate connections for different environments (prod/staging/dev)

Security recommendations

• For remote connections, use TLS and client certificates
• Use separate connections for different environments

Troubleshooting

Connection test fails:

• Verify Docker daemon is running
• Check socket path is correct for local connections
• For remote connections, verify host and port are accessible
• Ensure Telescope has permission to access Docker socket
• Check firewall rules for remote connections

Permission denied:

• Add Telescope user to docker group for local socket access
• Verify socket permissions (/var/run/docker.sock)

Related documentation

• Docker connection concept – Technical details
• Creating a Docker source – Next step after connection
• Connection permissions – Managing access