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Document extends lack of support in Docker Stack #23816

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Document extends lack of support in Docker Stack #23816

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05a0609
Clarify `extends` lack of support
oscherler Dec 5, 2025
7136e21
More `extends` lack of support clarification
oscherler Dec 5, 2025
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4 changes: 4 additions & 0 deletions content/manuals/compose/how-tos/multiple-compose-files/extends.md
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Expand Up @@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ service options in one place and refer to it from anywhere. You can refer to
another Compose file and select a service you want to also use in your own
application, with the ability to override some attributes for your own needs.

> [!IMPORTANT]
>
> `extends` in not supported in `docker stack`, only in `docker compose`, for obscure reasons. Running `docker stack config` on a compose file that uses it will result in the following useless message: “Configuration contains forbidden properties”.

> [!IMPORTANT]
>
> When you use multiple Compose files, you must make sure all paths in the files
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2 changes: 2 additions & 0 deletions content/reference/compose-file/services.md
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Expand Up @@ -793,6 +793,8 @@ Compose does not automatically import these referenced resources into the extend

Circular references with `extends` are not supported, Compose returns an error when one is detected.

`extends` in not supported in `docker stack`, only in `docker compose`, for obscure reasons.

#### Finding referenced service

`file` value can be:
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