Docker / Volumes, Filesystems & Recovery
Find application writes that escaped the intended Docker volume
A container can accumulate important files in its writable layer while its named data volume remains small. Inspect changed paths before replacement.
Environment and inputs: Docker Engine · Compose v2 and Buildx where specified; Linux containers unless noted. Verify daemon context, installed feature support and authorized host or Swarm manager access first.
Start with this check
Confirm the environment and replace sample objects, namespaces, images, paths and hosts with approved targets. Share only relevant, sanitized output. Follow the workload owner’s process for changes.
docker container diff appRead the result
The command reports filesystem changes relative to the image, not a complete backup or precise allocation measurement. Paths may reveal sensitive application context.
Resolve and verify
Compare changed paths with the approved persistence design and application configuration. Migrate required data through a tested consistent process and redirect future writes appropriately.
Before changing production
Do not remove the container or copy a running database layer blindly while unrecovered data may remain there.