Docker Container Name Regex for JavaScript
/^[a-zA-Z0-9][a-zA-Z0-9_\-.]{0,253}$/What this pattern does
This page provides a well-structured, multi-part regular expression for matching docker container name, ported and verified for JavaScript. A rigorously tested regex reduces debugging time and protects your application from edge-case failures. The snippet below is ready to drop into your JavaScript project — whether you're validating in an Express middleware, a Next.js API route, or a client-side form.
Javascript Implementation
// Docker Container Name
// ReDoS-safe | RegexVault — Dev & Systems > Docker
const dockerContainerNameRegex = /^[a-zA-Z0-9][a-zA-Z0-9_\-.]{0,253}$/;
function validateDockerContainerName(input: string): boolean {
return dockerContainerNameRegex.test(input);
}
// Example
console.log(validateDockerContainerName("my-container")); // trueTest Cases
Matches (Valid) | Rejects (Invalid) |
|---|---|
my-container | -container |
webapp_1 | .container |
db.primary | /container |
nginx | container name |
app-server-01 | — |
When to use this pattern
This pattern is drawn from the Dev & Systems > Docker category and carries a ReDoS-safe certification. That matters for JavaScript developers because especially critical in long-running Node.js event loops where a ReDoS vulnerability can block the entire process. RegexVault audits patterns against known backtracking attack vectors, ensuring you have the necessary context before using this regex in a high-stakes production environment.
Common Pitfalls
Container names in Docker Compose are auto-prefixed with the project name. Account for this prefix when referencing containers externally.
Technical Notes
Docker container names must be unique within a Docker daemon. Container names are used for DNS resolution within Docker networks.
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