> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.idocs.fyi/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Docker Clear System Data

> Clearing Docker’s cache can mean a few different things depending on what you want to remove — build cache, unused images, stopped containers, or volumes. Here’s a complete guide.

## 1. **Clear the Build Cache**

When you build images, Docker keeps layers cached to speed up future builds.

To clear just that cache:

```
docker builder prune
```

To remove *all* build cache (even from unused builders):

```
docker builder prune -a
```

You’ll be prompted for confirmation — add `-f` to skip it:

```
docker builder prune -a -f
```

## 2. **Remove Unused Data (Safe Global Cleanup)**

This removes:

* stopped containers
* unused networks
* dangling images
* build cache

Run:

```
docker system prune
```

For a more aggressive cleanup (includes unused images and volumes):

```
docker system prune -a --volumes
```

**Be careful** — this deletes everything not actively in use by a running container.

## 3. **Remove All Containers, Images, and Volumes**

If you want a total reset:

```
docker stop $(docker ps -aq)
docker rm $(docker ps -aq)
docker rmi -f $(docker images -q)
docker volume rm $(docker volume ls -q)
```

## 4. **Check Disk Usage Before/After**

See what’s taking space:

```
docker system df
```

### Common cleanup combo (safe and effective)

```
docker system prune -a --volumes -f
docker builder prune -a -f
```