Skip to content

CLI Machines Docker Start

github-actions[bot] edited this page Aug 9, 2026 · 2 revisions

ed machines docker start

Starts a stopped container.

ed machines docker start [--json] <machine> <container>...

Arguments

Name Type / values Default What it does
<machine> machine name, ssh alias, id, or any unambiguous prefix required Which machine to act on.
<container>... one or more container names or ids at least one required Which containers to start. Docker is given all of them in one call.

Options

Name Type / values Default What it does
--json flag off Emit JSON on stdout instead of the one-line confirmation.
--help, -h flag off Print the help for this command on stdout and exit 0.

Human output is one line, start <container>.

--json shape

{
  "action": "start",
  "containers": [
    "open-webui"
  ],
  "machine": "Asus TUF 7"
}

machine is the machine's display name as Edith stores it, not what you typed. containers echoes back exactly what you typed, in the order you typed it, so passing a short id gives you a short id here. Naming no container at all exits 1 with name at least one container, before the machine is dialled.

Examples

ed machines tuf docker start open-webui
ed machines tuf docker start b556d7fef23e --json
ed machines tuf docker start api postgres redis

Behaviour notes

Runs docker start <container>... with a 120 second ceiling, one call however many containers are named. A docker that refuses exits 1, with docker's own stderr as the hint:

$ ed machines tuf docker start nosuch-container
error: docker start failed on Asus TUF 7
hint: Error response from daemon: No such container: nosuch-container
failed to start containers: nosuch-container

This is the Docker window's start button, running the same command, and naming several containers is what the play button on a group header does.

Where to go next

CLI reference

Getting Started
Config
App
Extensions
Permissions
Usage
System
Music
Calendar
Clipboard
Color
Download
Apps
Tools
Shelf
Cleaner
Machines
Machines Remote
Machines Docker
Machines Files
Machines Power
Machines Workspace
Companion
Herdr
Lid Awake
Machines Thermal

Guides

Clone this wiki locally