docker buildx, understands modern BuildKit syntax, and can fix many issues automatically.
Installation
Install via Homebrew, mise, npm, Bun, uv, pip, RubyGems, WinGet, Go, or Docker.
Quick start
Lint your first Dockerfile in under a minute.
Rules reference
Rules across BuildKit, tally, Hadolint, and ShellCheck namespaces.
Configuration
Configure rules, output formats, and fix modes with
.tally.toml.Build invocations
Lint Dockerfiles through Bake targets and Compose services.
Why tally?
BuildKit-native
Understands heredocs,
RUN --mount, COPY --link, and ADD --checksum. No lag behind new Docker features.Fixes, not just findings
--fix applies safe, mechanical rewrites. --fix-unsafe unlocks AI-powered improvements via ACP.Broad rule coverage
BuildKit checks, tally rules, Hadolint rules, and embedded ShellCheck for shell snippets.
CI & editor ready
Outputs text, JSON, SARIF, GitHub Actions annotations, and Markdown. VS Code and JetBrains extensions included.
Bake and Compose aware
Resolves build args, contexts, platforms, and target stages from orchestrator entrypoints.
No Docker daemon required
Pure static analysis. Registry-aware checks use a Podman-compatible client — no Docker Desktop needed.
Windows-container aware
Detects Windows containers, understands Windows paths, and semantically parses PowerShell
RUN instructions, including
syntax and analyzer diagnostics.Get started
1
Install tally
Pick your preferred package manager:
2
Lint your Dockerfile
Run tally against your Dockerfile or recursively across your whole repo:
3
Apply auto-fixes
Fix safe, mechanical issues automatically:
4
Add a config file
Create
.tally.toml to set project-wide defaults:.tally.toml
Explore the docs
Auto-fix guide
Learn how safe fixes and AI-powered fixes work.
AI AutoFix via ACP
Use your own AI agent to apply complex Dockerfile improvements.
CI/CD integration
Add tally to GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, and other pipelines.
Build invocations
Lint the builds declared by Docker Buildx Bake and Docker Compose.
IDE integration
Real-time linting in VS Code, JetBrains, and any LSP editor.