OpenClaw - Arcane Docker Management Skill

Overview

This skill enables you to interact with your Arcane Docker Management API to manage Docker containers, compose stacks, templates, networks, volumes, images, and system monitoring. Arcane is a comprehensive Docker management platform with a REST API.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user requests any of the following:

• Managing Docker containers (list, start, stop, restart, remove, inspect)
• Managing Docker Compose stacks (deploy, update, remove, view logs)
• Working with Docker templates (create, deploy, manage)
• Managing Docker images (list, pull, remove, prune)
• Managing Docker networks and volumes
• Monitoring system resources and Docker statistics
• Managing user accounts and API keys
• Viewing system logs and events

API Configuration

Base URL

The API base URL should be configured by the user. Default: http://localhost:3552/api

Authentication

Arcane supports two authentication methods:

1. Bearer Token (JWT): Obtained via login endpoint
2. API Key: Long-lived authentication using X-API-Key header

Getting a Bearer Token

curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/auth/login" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "username": "admin",
    "password": "your_password"
  }'

Response includes token, refreshToken, and expiresAt.

Using API Keys

API keys can be created and managed through the /apikeys endpoints. Use the X-API-Key header for authentication.

Core Functionality

1. Container Management

List Containers

# Get all containers
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/containers" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Filter by status
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/containers?status=running" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Search containers
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/containers?search=nginx" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Container Operations

# Start container
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/containers/{id}/start" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Stop container
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/containers/{id}/stop" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Restart container
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/containers/{id}/restart" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Remove container
curl -X DELETE "$BASE_URL/containers/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Get container details
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/containers/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Get container logs
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/containers/{id}/logs?tail=100" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Get container stats
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/containers/{id}/stats" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Advanced Container Operations

# Execute command in container
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/containers/{id}/exec" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "command": ["ls", "-la"],
    "workingDir": "/app"
  }'

# Rename container
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/containers/{id}/rename" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "new-container-name"
  }'

# Update container resources
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/containers/{id}/update" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "cpuShares": 512,
    "memory": 536870912,
    "restartPolicy": "unless-stopped"
  }'

2. Docker Compose Stack Management

List Stacks

curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/stacks" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Deploy Stack from Template

curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/stacks" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "my-stack",
    "templateId": "template-id",
    "envVars": {
      "PORT": "8080",
      "DATABASE_URL": "postgres://..."
    }
  }'

Deploy Stack from Compose File

curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/stacks" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "my-stack",
    "composeContent": "version: \"3.8\"\nservices:\n  web:\n    image: nginx:latest\n    ports:\n      - \"80:80\""
  }'

Stack Operations

# Get stack details
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/stacks/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Update stack
curl -X PUT "$BASE_URL/stacks/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "envVars": {
      "PORT": "9090"
    }
  }'

# Remove stack
curl -X DELETE "$BASE_URL/stacks/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Start stack
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/stacks/{id}/start" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Stop stack
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/stacks/{id}/stop" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Restart stack
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/stacks/{id}/restart" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Get stack logs
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/stacks/{id}/logs?tail=100" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Pull latest images for stack
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/stacks/{id}/pull" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

3. Template Management

List Templates

curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/templates" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Create Template

curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/templates" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "nginx-template",
    "description": "Basic nginx web server",
    "content": "version: \"3.8\"\nservices:\n  web:\n    image: nginx:{{VERSION}}\n    ports:\n      - \"{{PORT}}:80\"",
    "variables": [
      {
        "name": "VERSION",
        "description": "Nginx version",
        "defaultValue": "latest"
      },
      {
        "name": "PORT",
        "description": "Host port",
        "defaultValue": "80"
      }
    ],
    "category": "web-servers",
    "tags": ["nginx", "web"]
  }'

Template Operations

# Get template
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/templates/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Update template
curl -X PUT "$BASE_URL/templates/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "updated-template-name",
    "description": "Updated description"
  }'

# Delete template
curl -X DELETE "$BASE_URL/templates/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Get template content with parsed variables
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/templates/{id}/content" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Global Template Variables

# Get global variables
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/templates/global-variables" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Update global variables
curl -X PUT "$BASE_URL/templates/global-variables" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "GLOBAL_DOMAIN": "example.com",
    "GLOBAL_NETWORK": "traefik-public"
  }'

4. Image Management

List Images

curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/images" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Pull Image

curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/images/pull" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "image": "nginx:latest"
  }'

Image Operations

# Get image details
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/images/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Remove image
curl -X DELETE "$BASE_URL/images/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Prune unused images
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/images/prune" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Search images in registry
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/images/search?term=nginx" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

5. Network Management

List Networks

curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/networks" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Create Network

curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/networks" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "my-network",
    "driver": "bridge",
    "internal": false,
    "attachable": true
  }'

Network Operations

# Get network details
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/networks/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Remove network
curl -X DELETE "$BASE_URL/networks/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Connect container to network
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/networks/{id}/connect" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "containerId": "container-id"
  }'

# Disconnect container from network
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/networks/{id}/disconnect" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "containerId": "container-id"
  }'

# Prune unused networks
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/networks/prune" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

6. Volume Management

List Volumes

curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/volumes" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Create Volume

curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/volumes" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "my-volume",
    "driver": "local",
    "labels": {
      "project": "my-app"
    }
  }'

Volume Operations

# Get volume details
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/volumes/{name}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Remove volume
curl -X DELETE "$BASE_URL/volumes/{name}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Prune unused volumes
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/volumes/prune" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

7. System Monitoring

System Information

# Get Docker system info
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/system/info" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Get Docker version
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/system/version" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Get system stats
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/system/stats" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Get disk usage
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/system/df" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Events and Logs

# Get system events (streaming)
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/system/events" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Get events with filters
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/system/events?since=1609459200&type=container" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

8. User Management

List Users

curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/users" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Create User

curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/users" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "username": "newuser",
    "email": "user@example.com",
    "password": "securepassword123",
    "role": "user"
  }'

User Operations

# Get user details
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/users/{userId}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Update user
curl -X PUT "$BASE_URL/users/{userId}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "email": "newemail@example.com",
    "role": "admin"
  }'

# Delete user
curl -X DELETE "$BASE_URL/users/{userId}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Change password
curl -X PUT "$BASE_URL/auth/password" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "currentPassword": "oldpassword",
    "newPassword": "newpassword123"
  }'

9. API Key Management

List API Keys

curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/apikeys" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Create API Key

curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/apikeys" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "CI/CD Pipeline Key",
    "description": "API key for automated deployments",
    "expiresAt": "2025-12-31T23:59:59Z"
  }'

API Key Operations

# Get API key details
curl -X GET "$BASE_URL/apikeys/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

# Update API key
curl -X PUT "$BASE_URL/apikeys/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Updated Key Name",
    "description": "Updated description"
  }'

# Delete API key
curl -X DELETE "$BASE_URL/apikeys/{id}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"

Implementation Guidelines

Error Handling

All API responses follow a standard format:

{
  "success": true|false,
  "data": {...},
  "message": "Success or error message"
}

Error responses use HTTP problem details (RFC 7807):

{
  "type": "about:blank",
  "title": "Error title",
  "status": 400,
  "detail": "Detailed error message"
}

Pagination

List endpoints support pagination with these query parameters:

• start: Starting index (default: 0)
• limit: Items per page (default: 20)
• sort: Column to sort by
• order: Sort direction (asc/desc, default: asc)
• search: Search query

Response includes pagination metadata:

{
  "success": true,
  "data": [...],
  "pagination": {
    "start": 0,
    "limit": 20,
    "total": 100,
    "hasMore": true
  }
}

Using Python

When implementing Arcane operations in Python, use the requests library:

import requests

BASE_URL = "http://localhost:3552/api"
TOKEN = "your-jwt-token"

headers = {
    "Authorization": f"Bearer {TOKEN}",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
}

# List containers
response = requests.get(f"{BASE_URL}/containers", headers=headers)
containers = response.json()

# Deploy stack
stack_data = {
    "name": "my-stack",
    "templateId": "template-id",
    "envVars": {
        "PORT": "8080"
    }
}
response = requests.post(f"{BASE_URL}/stacks", headers=headers, json=stack_data)
result = response.json()

Using Bash

For simple operations, use curl with error handling:

#!/bin/bash

BASE_URL="http://localhost:3552/api"
TOKEN="your-jwt-token"

# Function to make authenticated requests
api_call() {
    local method=$1
    local endpoint=$2
    local data=$3
    
    if [ -z "$data" ]; then
        curl -s -X "$method" "$BASE_URL/$endpoint" \
            -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN"
    else
        curl -s -X "$method" "$BASE_URL/$endpoint" \
            -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
            -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
            -d "$data"
    fi
}

# Example: List containers
containers=$(api_call GET "containers")
echo "$containers" | jq '.data[] | {id, name, status}'

Common Workflows

1. Deploy Application Stack

# 1. Create or select template
template_data = {
    "name": "webapp-template",
    "content": "version: '3.8'\nservices:\n  web:\n    image: myapp:{{VERSION}}\n    ports:\n      - '{{PORT}}:8080'",
    "variables": [
        {"name": "VERSION", "defaultValue": "latest"},
        {"name": "PORT", "defaultValue": "80"}
    ]
}
template = requests.post(f"{BASE_URL}/templates", headers=headers, json=template_data).json()

# 2. Deploy stack from template
stack_data = {
    "name": "production-webapp",
    "templateId": template["data"]["id"],
    "envVars": {
        "VERSION": "v1.2.3",
        "PORT": "8080"
    }
}
stack = requests.post(f"{BASE_URL}/stacks", headers=headers, json=stack_data).json()

# 3. Monitor deployment
stack_id = stack["data"]["id"]
logs = requests.get(f"{BASE_URL}/stacks/{stack_id}/logs?tail=50", headers=headers).json()

2. Scale and Monitor Containers

# Get running containers
containers = requests.get(f"{BASE_URL}/containers?status=running", headers=headers).json()

# Get stats for each container
for container in containers["data"]:
    stats = requests.get(f"{BASE_URL}/containers/{container['id']}/stats", headers=headers).json()
    print(f"{container['name']}: CPU {stats['data']['cpuPercent']:.2f}%, Memory {stats['data']['memoryPercent']:.2f}%")

# Update container resources if needed
update_data = {
    "cpuShares": 1024,
    "memory": 1073741824  # 1GB
}
requests.post(f"{BASE_URL}/containers/{container_id}/update", headers=headers, json=update_data)

3. Cleanup and Maintenance

# Prune unused resources
requests.post(f"{BASE_URL}/images/prune", headers=headers)
requests.post(f"{BASE_URL}/volumes/prune", headers=headers)
requests.post(f"{BASE_URL}/networks/prune", headers=headers)

# Get disk usage before and after
df_before = requests.get(f"{BASE_URL}/system/df", headers=headers).json()
# ... perform cleanup ...
df_after = requests.get(f"{BASE_URL}/system/df", headers=headers).json()

Best Practices

1. Authentication: Always use API keys for automated scripts and services. Use JWT tokens for interactive sessions.

2. Error Handling: Check response status codes and handle errors appropriately:

   • 200: Success
   • 400: Bad request (validation error)
   • 401: Unauthorized
   • 403: Forbidden
   • 404: Not found
   • 500: Internal server error

3. Resource Management:

   • Always specify resource limits when creating containers
   • Use labels to organize resources
   • Regularly prune unused resources

4. Security:

   • Store API keys and tokens securely (use environment variables)
   • Use HTTPS in production
   • Implement proper access controls with user roles
   • Rotate API keys regularly

5. Monitoring:

   • Monitor container stats regularly
   • Set up alerts for resource usage
   • Review system logs periodically

6. Templates:

   • Use variables for configurable values
   • Document template variables clearly
   • Version control your templates
   • Use global variables for shared configuration

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Authentication Failed

• Verify token is not expired (check expiresAt)
• Use refresh token to get new access token
• Verify API key is correct and not expired

Container Won't Start

• Check container logs: GET /containers/{id}/logs
• Inspect container: GET /containers/{id}
• Verify port conflicts and resource availability

Stack Deployment Failed

• Validate compose file syntax
• Check template variables are properly defined
• Review stack logs: GET /stacks/{id}/logs

Resource Not Found

• Verify resource ID is correct
• Check if resource was deleted
• Ensure proper permissions

Notes

• All timestamps are in ISO 8601 format (UTC)
• Container IDs can be full or short (first 12 characters)
• Image names support full registry paths (registry.example.com/image:tag)
• Network and volume names must be unique
• Stack names must be unique per user/project

Reference Links

For complete API documentation and schema definitions, refer to the OpenAPI specification provided in the JSON schema.