install/uninstall: unhide

[AkihiroSuda]

The install/uninstall commands were introduced in #34 (Apr 2019) as hidden commands.

These commands should no longer be hidden, as they have been explicitly documented since docker/docs#21641 (Dec 2024).

https://docs.docker.com/build/builders/#difference-between-docker-build-and-docker-buildx-build

[crazy-max]

These commands should no longer be hidden

I think we want to keep them hidden since docker build is an alias of docker buildx build and docker builder an alias of docker buildx and therefore install/uninstall does not have any effect anymore, see docker/cli#3314. As there are hidden commands, we also explicitly removed the documentation in #1918.

We should remove them in the future imo but first deprecate them. Same in our GHA https://github.com/docker/setup-buildx-action/blob/1583c0f09d26c58c59d25b0eef29792b7ce99d9a/action.yml#L29-L32. WDYT @tonistiigi @colinhemmings?

[AkihiroSuda]

I think we want to keep them hidden since docker build is an alias of docker buildx build and docker builder an alias of docker buildx and therefore install/uninstall does not have any effect anymore, see docker/cli#3314.

Seems to still have an effect.
The difference is that docker buildx install makes docker build respect the builder specified via docker buildx use.

https://github.com/docker/docs/blob/3d174fdbea6765c86344beab0f90067f640c937b/content/manuals/build/builders/_index.md?plain=1#L68-L108

[crazy-max]

I think we want to keep them hidden since docker build is an alias of docker buildx build and docker builder an alias of docker buildx and therefore install/uninstall does not have any effect anymore, see docker/cli#3314.

Seems to still have an effect. The difference is that docker buildx install makes docker build respect the builder specified via docker buildx use.

https://github.com/docker/docs/blob/3d174fdbea6765c86344beab0f90067f640c937b/content/manuals/build/builders/_index.md?plain=1#L68-L108

Ah indeed forgot about this case: docker/cli#3676 (comment)

[AkihiroSuda]

Alternative

• deprecate docker buildx install and docker buildx uninstall #3472