docker · craig-osterhout · Jun 12, 2025
diff --git a/content/manuals/_index.md b/content/manuals/_index.md
@@ -53,6 +53,10 @@ params:
     description: Secure, minimal base images for trusted software delivery.
     icon: /icons/dhi.svg
     link: /dhi/
+  - title: Docker Cloud
+    description: Build and run containers in the cloud.
+    icon: cloud
+    link: /cloud/
   - title: Build Cloud
     description: Build your images faster in the cloud.
     icon: /icons/logo-build-cloud.svg

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ product, including how to set up and configure them, see the following manuals:
 - [Docker Hub](../../docker-hub/_index.md)
 - [Docker Scout](../../scout/_index.md)
 - [Testcontainers Cloud](https://testcontainers.com/cloud/docs/#getting-started)
+- [Docker Cloud](../../cloud/_index.md)
 
 ## Manage access to Docker products
 
@@ -26,11 +27,19 @@ for all users. The included products are:
 - Docker Build Cloud
 - Docker Desktop
 - Docker Scout
+- Docker Cloud
 
 Testcontainers Cloud is not enabled by default. To enable Testcontainers Cloud, see the Testcontainers [Getting Started](https://testcontainers.com/cloud/docs/#getting-started) guide.
 
 The following sections describe how to enable or disable access for these products.
 
+### Manage access to Docker Cloud
+
+To manage access to Docker Cloud, sign in to [Docker
+Home](http://app.docker.com/) as an organization owner, select **Docker
+Cloud**, select **Cloud settings**, and then manage access under **Lock Docker
+Cloud**.
+
 ### Manage access to Docker Build Cloud
 
 To learn how to initially set up and configure Docker Build Cloud, sign in to
@@ -105,5 +114,8 @@ View usage for the products on the following pages:
 - Docker Desktop: View the **Insights** page in the [Docker Admin Console](https://app.docker.com/admin). For more details, see
   [Insights](./insights.md).
 
+- Docker Cloud: View the **Cloud overview** page in the Docker Cloud
+  Dashboard.
+
 If your usage exceeds your subscription amount, you can [scale your
 subscription](../../subscription/scale.md) to meet your needs.
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+---
+title: Docker Cloud
+weight: 15
+description: Find documentation on Docker Cloud to help you build and run your container images faster, both locally and in CI
+keywords: build, cloud, cloud build, remote builder
+params:
+  sidebar:
+    group: Products
+    badge:
+      color: blue
+      text: Beta
+
+grid:
+
+- title: Quickstart
+  description: Get up and running with Docker Cloud in just a few steps.
+  icon: rocket_launch
+  link: /cloud/quickstart/
+
+- title: About
+  description: Learn about Docker Cloud and how it works.
+  icon: info
+  link: /cloud/about/
+
+- title: Configure
+  description: Set up and customize your cloud build environments.
+  icon: tune
+  link: /cloud/configuration/
+
+- title: Build
+  description: Use Docker Cloud to build container images from the CLI or Docker Desktop.
+  icon: build
+  link: /cloud/build/
+
+- title: Build in CI
+  description: Use Docker Cloud to build container images in continuous integration workflows.
+  icon: build
+  link: /cloud/ci-build/
+
+
+
+- title: Usage
+  description: Learn about Docker Cloud usage and how to monitor your cloud resources.
+  icon: monitor_heart
+  link: /cloud/usage/
+
+- title: Optimize
+  description: Improve performance, caching, and cost efficiency in Docker Cloud.
+  icon: speed
+  link: /cloud/optimize/
+
+- title: Troubleshoot
+  description: Learn how to troubleshoot issues with Docker Cloud.
+  icon: bug_report
+  link: /cloud/troubleshoot/
+
+---
+
+{{< summary-bar feature_name="Docker Cloud" >}}
+
+Docker Cloud is a fully managed service that lets you build and run containers
+in the cloud using the Docker tools you already know. Whether you're working
+locally on Docker Desktop or in CI, Docker Cloud provides scalable
+infrastructure for fast, consistent builds and compute-intensive workloads like
+running LLMs or machine learning pipelines.
+
+You can use Docker Cloud in Cloud mode to offload builds and container runs from
+Docker Desktop, or use it for builds only without running containers in the
+cloud.
+
+In the following topics, learn about Docker Cloud, how to set it up, use it for your workflows, and
+troubleshoot common issues.
+
+{{< grid >}}
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+---
+title: About Docker Cloud
+linktitle: About
+weight: 15
+description: Learn about Docker Cloud, its features, and how it works.
+keywords: cloud, build, remote builder
+---
+
+Docker Cloud is a fully managed service for building and running containers in
+the cloud using the Docker tools you already know, including Docker Desktop, the
+Docker CLI, and Docker Compose. It extends your local development workflow into a
+scalable, cloud-powered environment, so you can offload compute-heavy tasks,
+accelerate builds, and securely manage container workloads across the software
+lifecycle.
+
+Docker Cloud also supports GPU-accelerated instances, allowing you to
+containerize and run compute-intensive workloads such as Docker Model Runner and
+other machine learning or data processing tasks that benefit from GPU.
+
+You can use Docker Cloud in following ways:
+
+- In Cloud mode, where you use Docker Desktop with cloud-based resources. This
+  is ideal for virtual desktop environments (VDIs) where nested virtualization
+  isn't supported, or when you need more CPU, memory, or GPU than your local
+  machine can provide. In this mode, both builds and container runs happen in
+  the cloud, but Docker Desktop maintains a local-like experience. To get
+  started, see [Docker Cloud quickstart](/cloud/quickstart/).
+
+- For only builds, without running containers in the cloud. This lets you offload image
+  builds to Docker Cloud while continuing to run containers locally. It's useful
+  when you want faster, consistent builds but don’t need to run containers in
+  the cloud. To get started, see [Build with Docker Cloud](/cloud/build/).
+
+- In CI environments where builds are performed entirely in the cloud. This lets
+  you have fast, consistent, and scalable builds without the need to manage your
+  own runners or infrastructure. To get started, see [Use Docker Cloud in
+  CI](/cloud/ci-build/).
+
+## Key features
+
+Docker Cloud includes the following capabilities to support modern container
+workflows:
+
+- Cloud-based builds: Execute builds on remote, fully managed BuildKit instances
+  with native support for multi-platform output.
+- GPU acceleration: Use NVIDIA L4 GPU-backed environments for machine learning,
+  media processing, and other compute-intensive workloads.
+- Ephemeral cloud runners: Automatically provision and tear down cloud
+  environments for each container session.
+- Shared build cache: Speed up build times across machines and teammates with a
+  smart, shared cache layer.
+- Hybrid workflows: Seamlessly transition between local and remote execution
+  using Docker Desktop, CLI, or CI tools.
+- Secure communication: Use encrypted tunnels between Docker Desktop and cloud
+  environments with support for secure secrets and image pulling.
+- CI/CD integration: Trigger builds in CI pipelines using Buildx, GitHub
+  Actions, or prebuilt integrations.
+- Port forwarding and bind mounts: Retain a local development experience even
+  when running containers in the cloud.
+- VDI-friendly: Use Docker Cloud in virtual desktop environments or systems that
+  don't support nested virtualization.
+
+## Why use Docker Cloud?
+
+Docker Cloud is designed to support modern development teams working across
+local and cloud environments. It helps you:
+
+- Use the same Docker workflows locally and in the cloud
+- Offload builds to fast, high-performance infrastructure
+- Run containers that require more CPU, memory, or GPU than your local setup can
+  provide
+- Run Docker Desktop in environments that don't support nested virtualization
+- Speed up feedback loops by reducing wait times for builds and testing
+  environments
+- Avoid managing custom infrastructure while retaining full control over how
+  containers are built and executed
+- Ensure consistent, clean environments for every build or test
+- Integrate easily with any CI system using simple scripts or prebuilt actions
+
+Docker Cloud is ideal for hybrid teams that want to iterate quickly, test
+reliably, and scale efficiently without compromising on developer experience.
+
+## How Docker Cloud works
+
+Docker Cloud replaces the need to build or run containers locally by connecting
+Docker Desktop and your CI pipelines to secure, dedicated cloud resources.
+
+### Building with Docker Cloud
+
+When you use Docker Cloud for builds, the `docker buildx build` command sends
+the build request to a remote BuildKit instance in the cloud, instead of
+executing it locally. Your workflow stays the same, only the execution
+environment changes.
+
+The build runs on infrastructure provisioned and managed by Docker:
+
+- Each cloud builder is an isolated Amazon EC2 instance with its own EBS volume
+- Remote builders use a shared cache to speed up builds across machines and
+  teammates
+- Builds support native multi-platform output (for example, `linux/amd64`,
+  `linux/arm64`)
+- Build results are encrypted in transit and sent to your specified destination
+  (such as a registry or local image store)
+
+Docker Cloud manages the lifecycle of builders automatically. There's no need to
+provision or maintain infrastructure.
+
+> [!NOTE]
+>
+> Docker Cloud builders are currently hosted in the US East region. Users in
+> other regions may experience increased latency.
+
+### Running containers with Docker Cloud
+
+When you use Docker Cloud to run containers, a Docker Desktop creates a secure
+SSH tunnel to a Docker daemon running in the cloud. Your containers are started
+and managed entirely in that remote environment.
+
+Here's what happens:
+
+1. Docker Desktop connects to the cloud and triggers container creation.
+2. Docker Cloud pulls the required images and starts containers in the cloud.
+3. The connection stays open while the containers run.
+4. When the containers stop running, the environment shuts down and is cleaned
+   up automatically.
+
+This setup avoids the overhead of running containers locally and enables fast,
+reliable containers even on low-powered machines, including machines that do not
+support nested virtualization. This makes Docker Cloud ideal for developers
+using environments such as virtual desktops, cloud-hosted development machines,
+or older hardware.
+
+Docker Cloud also supports GPU-accelerated workloads. Containers that require
+GPU access can run on cloud instances provisioned with NVIDIA L4 GPUs for
+efficient AI inferencing, media processing, and general-purpose GPU
+acceleration. This enables compute-heavy workflows such as model evaluation,
+image processing, and hardware-accelerated CI tests to run seamlessly in the
+cloud.
+
+Despite running remotely, features like bind mounts and port forwarding continue
+to work seamlessly, providing a local-like experience from within Docker Desktop
+and the CLI.
+
+Docker Cloud provisions an ephemeral cloud environment for each session. The
+environment remains active while you are interacting with Docker Desktop or
+actively using containers. If no activity is detected for about 30 minutes, the
+session shuts down automatically. This includes any containers, images, or
+volumes in that environment, which are deleted when the session ends.
+
+## What's next
+
+Get hands-on with Docker Cloud by following the [Docker Cloud quickstart](/cloud/quickstart/).