Introduction:
Docker has revolutionized the way we package, distribute, and deploy applications. However, like any other technology, it is not immune to errors and issues. One such error that I encountered recently while working with Docker on my Mac was the "error getting credentials - executable file not found" error. In this blog post, I will share my experience with this error and provide a solution that worked for me.
The Error:
When attempting to build a Docker image or perform a Docker login, I encountered the following error message:
openjdk:17: error getting credentials - err: exec: "docker-credential-desktop": executable file not found in $PATH, out: ``
Error saving credentials: error storing credentials - err: exec: "docker-credential-desktop": executable file not found in $PATH, out: ``
Diagnosis:
The error message suggests that the Docker daemon was unable to locate the "docker-credential-desktop" executable file in the $PATH environment variable. This executable is responsible for retrieving Docker credentials and authentication.
Solution:
After researching the issue, I discovered that the problem was specific to Docker on macOS. The Docker Desktop application on macOS uses a credential helper called "docker-credential-desktop" to handle authentication with Docker registries. To resolve the error, I followed these steps:
1. Open Finder and navigate to the following path: `/Users/[USERNAME]/.docker/`.
2. Look for the file named `config.json` in the `.docker` directory.
3. Delete the `config.json` file.
4. Retry the Docker command that was previously failing (e.g., `docker build`, `docker login`, etc.).
Explanation:
By deleting the `config.json` file, we essentially reset the Docker configuration and remove any potential misconfigurations or conflicts. Docker Desktop will recreate the necessary files and configurations automatically when you run Docker commands again.
Conclusion:
If you encounter the "error getting credentials - executable file not found" error while working with Docker on your macOS machine, deleting the `config.json` file located at `/Users/[USERNAME]/.docker/` can help resolve the issue. Remember to retry the Docker command after deleting the file to confirm that the error is resolved.
Docker is a powerful tool, but occasional errors and challenges are inevitable. Hopefully, this blog post has provided you with a solution to the specific error discussed here, allowing you to continue working with Docker seamlessly. Happy Dockerizing!
