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Run shell commands inside a Docker development container on your local machine. Commands can be run inline or saved as named aliases for reuse.

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Syntax

lager exec [OPTIONS] [COMMAND] [EXTRA_ARGS]...

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Options

OptionShortTypeDefaultDescription
--command TEXTstringRaw shell command to execute (e.g., 'make build')
--save-as TEXTstringSave the command under this alias for later use
--warn / --no-warnflag--warnWarn when overwriting a saved command
--env FOO=BARmultipleSet environment variable in the container
--passenv NAMEmultipleInherit environment variable from current shell
--mount NAME-mstringDocker volume to mount
--interactive / --no-interactive-iflag--interactiveKeep STDIN open
--tty / --no-tty-tflag--ttyAllocate a pseudo-TTY
--user TEXT-ustringcurrent UIDUser to run as in the container
--group TEXT-gstringcurrent GIDGroup to run as in the container
--verbose-vflagShow the full Docker command being executed
--helpShow help message and exit

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Arguments

ArgumentDescription
COMMANDName of a previously saved command to run
EXTRA_ARGSAdditional arguments appended to the command at runtime

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Prerequisites

A development environment must be created first: 
lager devenv create
This configures the Docker image, mount directory, and shell used by lager exec.

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Command Reference

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Run an Inline Command

lager exec --command 'make build'
lager exec --command 'pytest tests/ -v'

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Save a Command for Reuse

lager exec --command 'make clean && make build' --save-as build

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Run a Saved Command

lager exec build

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Append Extra Arguments

# Runs: make clean && make build --verbose --debug
lager exec build --verbose --debug

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Pass Environment Variables

# Set explicitly
lager exec --command 'make build' --env CFLAGS="-O2" --env DEBUG=0

# Inherit from current shell
lager exec --command 'make build' --passenv PATH --passenv HOME

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How It Differs from Other Commands

CommandTargetPurpose
lager execLocal Docker containerRun build/test commands in a reproducible environment
lager pythonRemote Lager BoxExecute Python scripts that interact with test equipment
lager sshRemote Lager BoxOpen an interactive SSH shell for box administration

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Saved Command Management

Saved commands are stored in the devenv section of your .lager config. Use lager devenv to manage them: 
lager devenv commands         # List saved commands
lager devenv add <name> "<cmd>"   # Add a command
lager devenv delete <name>    # Remove a command
lager devenv terminal         # Open an interactive shell in the container

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Examples

# One-off build
lager exec --command 'make -j4'

# Save and reuse a test command
lager exec --command 'pytest tests/ --tb=short' --save-as test
lager exec test

# Run with verbose Docker output
lager exec --verbose --command 'gcc main.c -o main'

# Non-interactive mode for CI
lager exec --no-interactive --no-tty --command 'make check'

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Notes

  • The container is created with --rm so it is removed after each command
  • Exit codes from the container are propagated to the CLI
  • Source code is mounted from your local filesystem into the container
  • Lager configuration (~/.lager) is mounted into the container when present
  • The COMMAND argument and --command option are mutually exclusive; use one or the other