Docker Compose: "no configuration file provided: not found" Error

When working with Docker Compose, encountering the error "no configuration file provided: not found" can be frustrating, especially when some commands work while others fail. This comprehensive guide explores the common causes and solutions for this issue.

Problem Overview

The error typically occurs when executing Docker Compose commands like:

docker compose logs

While other commands may work fine:

docker compose up

This inconsistency suggests that Docker Compose can't locate your configuration file in certain contexts, even when it seems to find it for basic operations.

Common Causes and Solutions

1. Incorrect Working Directory

The most frequent cause is running Docker Compose commands from the wrong directory.

Solution: Navigate to the directory containing your docker-compose.yml file before executing commands:

cd /path/to/your/project
docker compose logs

2. Custom Compose File Names

If your configuration file has a non-standard name, Docker won't automatically detect it.

Solution: Use the -f flag to specify the custom file:

docker compose -f docker-compose.dev.yml logs
docker compose -f custom-compose.yaml config

3. File Extension and Format Issues

Windows and macOS sometimes save files with hidden extensions or incorrect formats.

Solution: Ensure your file has the correct extension and format:

• Enable "Show file extensions" in Windows Folder Options
• Verify the file is actually saved as YAML, not as a text file with hidden .txt extension
• Standard naming conventions: docker-compose.yml or docker-compose.yaml

4. Snap Installation Problems (Linux)

Docker installed via Snap packages often has compatibility issues with Compose.

Solution: Remove the Snap version and install Docker using the official repository:

# Remove Snap version
sudo snap remove docker

# Install using official Docker repository
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ca-certificates curl gnupg lsb-release
sudo mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyrings
curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg
echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin

5. File Location Restrictions

Some Docker installations restrict compose files to user home directories.

Solution: Move your compose file to a subdirectory within your home directory:

mv /opt/stacks/your-project /home/your-user/
cd /home/your-user/your-project
docker compose up -d

6. Metadata File Requirement

In some cases, Docker Compose requires a metadata file to locate your configuration.

Solution: Create a metadata.json file in your project directory:

{
    "ComposeFilePath": "./compose.yml"
}

Platform-Specific Considerations

Windows Systems

WARNING

Windows often hides file extensions by default, which can cause YAML files to be saved as .yml.txt without visual indication.

1. Enable "Show file extensions" in Folder Options
2. Verify the actual file extension using PowerShell: Get-ChildItem | Format-Table Name, Extension
3. Use the -f flag with proper Windows path syntax:

docker compose -f .\docker-compose.yml logs

Linux Systems

DANGER

Avoid Snap installations for Docker in production environments as they often have path resolution issues with Compose.

If you must use a custom directory outside your home folder, consider creating a symbolic link:

sudo ln -s /opt/stacks/your-project /home/your-user/your-project
cd /home/your-user/your-project
docker compose up -d

Verification and Troubleshooting

To verify your Docker Compose configuration is correct:

# Check Docker Compose version
docker compose version

# Validate compose file syntax
docker compose -f your-compose-file.yml config

If you encounter container naming conflicts:

# List all containers
docker ps -a

# Remove conflicting container
docker rm container_name

# Recreate with force rebuild
docker compose -f your-compose-file.yml up --force-recreate --build -d

Best Practices

1. Use standard naming: Stick to docker-compose.yml when possible
2. Work from project directory: Always run commands from the directory containing your compose file
3. Official installation: Use Docker's official repositories rather than Snap packages
4. Explicit paths: When in doubt, use the -f flag with full paths
5. File validation: Regularly check that your YAML files have correct extensions and formatting

Conclusion

The "no configuration file provided: not found" error typically stems from path resolution issues, file naming problems, or installation method incompatibilities. By following the solutions outlined above—working in the correct directory, using the -f flag for custom files, avoiding Snap installations, and ensuring proper file extensions—you can resolve this error and work seamlessly with Docker Compose.

For persistent issues, consult the official Docker Compose documentation or check Docker's GitHub issues for similar reports and solutions.