useR! 2024

*Abstract* Docker is a cornerstone of modern software development and deployment, ensuring reproducibility, scalability, and seamless environment management across different platforms. This tutorial will examine the art and science of crafting efficient and optimised Docker images specifically tailored for R applications. *Description* Docker has revolutionised how we develop, deploy, and run applications by offering a lightweight, portable solution for application containerisation. For the R community, Docker presents an vital tool for addressing common challenges such as "it works on my machine", dependency management, and consistent environments across development and production systems. However, creating effective Docker images that are optimised for R applications requires a nuanced understanding of both Docker and R ecosystems. This tutorial aims to bridge that gap, providing attendees with the knowledge to build Docker images that are not only functional but also optimised for performance, size, and security.