Verify Docker in WSL2

Verify

Run the same three commands in WSL2 bash (not PowerShell):

docker --version && docker ps && docker run --rm hello-world

All three must succeed. hello-world on Windows does not prove Docker works in WSL — this check does.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Cause	Fix
docker: permission denied	WSL Integration off for your distro, or Docker Desktop not running	Enable your distro under WSL Integration → Apply & restart
docker: command not found in WSL	Integration not enabled, or terminal opened before integration	Complete the enable integration step above (fresh Ubuntu window)
Cannot connect to the Docker daemon in WSL	Docker Desktop not running	Start Docker Desktop; wait for whale icon to steady
docker run works but docker ps empty	hello-world used --rm	Expected — container removed after exit
lookup docker.internal errors	Docker networking after sleep/hibernation	Restart Docker Desktop; if needed: wsl --shutdown in PowerShell, restart Docker, reopen Ubuntu