How to Solve the WARN: docker-compose.yml: `version` is Obsolete Warning

When working with Docker Compose, you may encounter the warning message: WARN: docker-compose.yml: 'version' is obsolete. This warning indicates that the version field in your docker-compose.yml file is no longer necessary with the latest versions of Docker Compose. In this guide, we’ll explain why this warning appears and how to update your docker-compose.yml file to resolve it.

Why the Warning Appears

In earlier versions of Docker Compose, the version field was required to specify the version of the Compose file format being used. This helped Docker Compose understand how to parse and interpret the file. However, with the release of Docker Compose v1.27.0, the tool no longer requires the version field. Instead, it automatically determines the appropriate version based on the syntax and features used in the file.

Steps to Resolve the Warning

Here’s a step-by-step guide to update your docker-compose.yml file and remove the obsolete version field:

1. Open Your `docker-compose.yml` File

Open your docker-compose.yml file in your preferred text editor. It might look something like this:

version: '3.8'
services:
  web:
    image: nginx:latest
    ports:
      - "80:80"
  db:
    image: postgres:latest
    environment:
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: example

2. Remove the `version` Field

Simply delete the version line from your file. Your updated docker-compose.yml file should look like this:

services:
  web:
    image: nginx:latest
    ports:
      - "80:80"
  db:
    image: postgres:latest
    environment:
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: example

3. Save the File

Save the changes to your docker-compose.yml file.

4. Verify the Changes

To ensure everything works correctly, run the following command in your terminal:

docker-compose up

Docker Compose should start your services without displaying the version warning.

Additional Tips

Check Compatibility: Before removing the version field, ensure your Docker Compose version supports this change. This feature is available from Docker Compose v1.27.0 and later.
Update Docker: If you encounter issues, consider updating Docker and Docker Compose to the latest versions to take advantage of new features and improvements.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can resolve the WARN: docker-compose.yml: 'version' is obsolete warning and streamline your Docker Compose configuration. Removing the version field makes your docker-compose.yml file cleaner and ensures compatibility with the latest Docker Compose versions.

For more information and updates, refer to the official Docker Compose documentation .

Now that you have updated your docker-compose.yml file, you can continue developing your applications with fewer warnings and a more streamlined configuration.

This guide provided a comprehensive solution to the warning issue. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out.

How to Solve the WARN: docker-compose.yml: version is Obsolete Warning