compose/docs/reference/compose_down.md

Description

Stops containers and removes containers, networks, volumes, and images created by ``up`.

By default, the only things removed are:

• Containers for services defined in the Compose file
• Networks defined in the networks section of the Compose file
• The default network, if one is used

Networks and volumes defined as external are never removed.

Anonymous volumes are not removed by default. However, as they don’t have a stable name, they will not be automatically mounted by a subsequent up. For data that needs to persist between updates, use explicit paths as bind mounts or named volumes.