# Images

Images are what is used to build containers. Each image defines the pieces required to build and configure a container and can be reused many times. The **Images** section in Portainer lets you interact with the images in an environment.

<figure><img src="/files/M0cOJ3dGo2ienQ8Q7vEP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can pull images from Docker Hub or any other [registry](/sts/admin/registries/add.md):

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MhuWfJo1EepuXnb5TXs" %}
[Pull an image](/sts/user/docker/images/pull.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

The **Images** table provides an overview of all images currently available in an environment, including each image's ID, usage status, tags, size, and creation date.

From this table you can also:

* **Build** a new image
* **Import** or **Export** an image
* **Prune** dangling and unused images to reclaim disk space

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MhuZcAkEsEnGJ-4S150" %}
[Build a new image](/sts/user/docker/images/build.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MhuZOq1zyCwH8V0e1d4" %}
[Import an image](/sts/user/docker/images/import.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MhuZXvqVu9MvagSdAdD" %}
[Export an image](/sts/user/docker/images/export.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/d4V5QPws1PbiMnluPL96" %}
[Prune dangling and unused images](/sts/user/docker/images/prune-dangling-and-unused-images.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.portainer.io/sts/user/docker/images.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.