docker: Got permission denied while trying to connect to the Docker daemon socket.

hawksbill

Trying to run commands as a normal user after installing docker, you will see this message, only root is allow to run docker commands by default.

To resolve this issue, you can add your user to the docker linux group, by running the following command.

$ sudo usermod -a -G docker <your_user_name>

You cannot just open a new terminal window and expect it to work, logout and log back in make sure you user is part of the docker group

$ groups
adm cdrom sudo docker

Test using the following.

$ docker top help

If you see the following it worked!

$ docker top --help

Usage:	docker top CONTAINER [ps OPTIONS]

Display the running processes of a container

Options:
      --help   Print usage