Building containerized applications should not mean bloated images and unnecessary dependencies. Modern software demands fast developer experience and fast deployments, but oversized images can slow down your builds at the critical moments of development and deployment. Multi-stage builds with Docker are a powerful method for streamlining your workflows.

In this session, we will break down how to craft an efficient multi-stage Dockerfile tailored for a fast inner loop and secure production image. We will compile, test, and publish our .NET application within a single Dockerfile while ensuring the final image contains only essential artifacts for production. You’ll learn the basics of Dockerfiles, how to utilize stages, optimize caching, and refine build layers to keep your Docker builds fast. Whether you are looking to accelerate your inner loop, improve application security, or better understand containers, you’ll leave equipped with essential knowledge and practices for cloud-native development.