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docker stop vs kill

The difference between graceful container shutdown and immediate termination.

`docker stop` asks the container to shut down gracefully and waits before forcing termination. `docker kill` sends an immediate signal, which is faster but less graceful.

Use Stop When

You want the process to handle shutdown hooks, flush state, or exit cleanly.

You are dealing with normal service lifecycle behavior.

Use Kill When

The container is unresponsive and graceful shutdown is not working.

You need fast termination during debugging or cleanup.

Rule of Thumb

Stop is graceful. Kill is immediate.

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