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delete

delete

rfswift delete

Delete Docker images from the local system to free disk space.

Synopsis 

rfswift delete -i IMAGE_ID_OR_TAG

The delete command removes Docker images from your local system. This is useful for freeing disk space, removing old versions, or cleaning up after testing.

Options

Flag Description Required Example
-i, --image STRING Image ID or tag to delete Yes -i penthertz/rfswift_noble:old_version

Examples

Basic Usage

Delete by tag:

rfswift delete -i penthertz/rfswift_noble:old_version

Delete by image ID:

rfswift delete -i a1b2c3d4e5f6

Delete custom built image:

rfswift delete -i my_custom_sdr:v1.0

Real-World Scenarios

Clean up old versions:

# Check what you have
rfswift images local

# Delete old version
rfswift delete -i penthertz/rfswift_noble:tag

# Verify deletion
rfswift images local

Remove test images:

# After testing
rfswift delete -i test_image:experimental

# Remove multiple test images
rfswift delete -i test_build:v1
rfswift delete -i test_build:v2
rfswift delete -i test_build:v3

Free disk space:

# Check current usage
docker system df

# Delete large unused images
rfswift delete -i penthertz/rfswift_noble:sdr_full_old

# Check space recovered
docker system df

Remove failed builds:

# Build failed, leaving dangling image
rfswift delete -i failed_build:latest

# Or delete by ID
rfswift delete -i a1b2c3d4e5f6

Cleanup after upgrade:

# After upgrading containers, remove old image
rfswift upgrade -c my_container -i new_image:v2

# Delete old image
rfswift delete -i old_image:v1

What Gets Deleted

Image Deletion Impact

When you delete an image:

Item Deleted? Impact
Image layers ✅ Yes Removed from disk
Image metadata ✅ Yes Tags, labels removed
Containers using image ❌ No Continue running
Exported tar.gz files ❌ No Remain on disk
Custom files you added ✅ Yes Gone from image

Important Notes

Images in use cannot be deleted:

# This will fail if containers are using the image
rfswift delete -i penthertz/rfswift_noble:sdr_full

# Error: image is being used by running container

Solution: Stop/remove containers first:

# Stop containers using the image
rfswift stop -c container_using_image

# Remove containers
rfswift remove -c container_using_image

# Now delete image
rfswift delete -i penthertz/rfswift_noble:old_version

Delete vs Remove

Comparison

Command Target What It Deletes
delete Images Docker images
remove Containers Container instances

Troubleshooting

Image In Use

Error: Error: image is being used by running container

Solutions:

# Find containers using the image
docker ps -a --filter ancestor="image:tag"

# Stop containers
docker ps -a --filter ancestor="image:tag" --format "{{.Names}}" | \
xargs -r docker stop

# Remove containers
docker ps -a --filter ancestor="image:tag" --format "{{.Names}}" | \
xargs -r docker rm

# Now delete image
rfswift delete -i image:tag

Image Has Dependent Child Images

Error: Error: image has dependent child images

Solutions:

# Force delete with docker
docker rmi -f image:tag

# Or delete child images first
docker images --filter "since=image:tag" --format "{{.Repository}}:{{.Tag}}" | \
while read child; do
    rfswift delete -i "$child"
done

# Then delete parent
rfswift delete -i image:tag

Image Not Found

Error: Error: No such image: image:tag

Solutions:

# Check exact image name
rfswift images local

# Check image ID
docker images

# Use correct format
rfswift delete -i penthertz/rfswift_noble:sdr_full
# Or by ID
rfswift delete -i a1b2c3d4e5f6

Permission Denied

Error: Permission denied

Solutions:

# Use sudo
sudo rfswift delete -i image:tag

# Or add user to docker group
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
newgrp docker

# Then retry
rfswift delete -i image:tag

Tag Refers to Multiple Images

Problem: Same tag on different images

Solution:

# Use image ID instead of tag
docker images

# Delete by specific ID
rfswift delete -i a1b2c3d4e5f6

Related Commands

  • images - List and manage images
  • remove - Remove containers
  • export - Backup images before deletion
  • build - Build new images
  • cleanup - Automated cleanup
⚠️
Permanent Deletion: Deleting an image is permanent. If you might need it later, use export image to create a backup first. You can always import it back if needed.
Containers First: You cannot delete an image while containers are using it. Stop and remove containers first with stop and remove commands, then delete the image.
Disk Space Recovery: Deleting large images can free significant disk space (1-4GB per image). Check with docker system df before and after to see space recovered!
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