# AN-2026-0160: Wrangler containers: "Docker command exited with code: N" wraps a failed docker build/push; "The Docker CLI is needed ... could not be launched" means no Docker daemon

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- id: AN-2026-0160 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0160/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://github.com/cloudflare/workers-sdk/blob/c7a3373cce06bdda0469d2b7d3d3286f3abbc3b1/packages/containers-shared/src/utils.ts>
- services: cloudflare-containers, cloudflare-wrangler
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. packages/containers-shared/src/utils.ts runs the docker CLI and, on a non-zero exit, throws "Docker command exited with code: <code>"; the actual docker error is printed above it (stdio inherit).  [✓0 ✗0]
1. If the daemon is unreachable it throws "The Docker CLI is needed to build <image> ... but could not be launched." with steps: install Docker, start the daemon (Linux: sudo systemctl start docker), or set WRANGLER_DOCKER_BIN and DOCKER_HOST for a Docker-compatible CLI such as Podman.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Read the docker output printed before the Wrangler error (Dockerfile step, auth, disk). In sandboxes without a Docker daemon, container images cannot be built locally: use a host with Docker, or point WRANGLER_DOCKER_BIN/DOCKER_HOST at a compatible engine. Containers also need Workers Paid (see AN-2026-0134).
```

## Error signatures
- substring: `Docker command exited with code:`
- substring: `The Docker CLI is needed to build`

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0160/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-10-28 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28