curl -G https://start.vertx.io/starter.zip -d "artifactId=layered-container-jib" -d "jdkVersion=11" -d "buildTool=maven" --output layered-container-jib.zip
unzip layered-container-jib.zipThis guide explains how to create a container image for a Vert.x application using Google Jib.
Unlike the Dockerfile approach, Jib builds optimized, layered OCI-compliant images (Docker images) directly from your build tool, without needing a Docker daemon (unless you are building to your local daemon) or a Dockerfile.
Besides, Jib significantly reduces build times by separating your application into distinct layers (dependencies, resources, and classes), allowing it to rebuild and push only the specific layers that have changed rather than the entire image.
You will create a Vert.x application and build a container image for it using the Jib plugin. You will then run this image using Docker.
A text editor or IDE
Java 11 or higher
Docker (only required to run the image locally)
Maven or Gradle
This section describes how to use Google Jib with Maven.
Open your browser to https://start.vertx.io.
Select Maven build tool.
Set layered-container-jib as artifactId.
Select JDK 11 or higher.
Click Generate Project to download the project archive.
Unzip the archive into a folder.
Alternatively, open a terminal and run:
curl -G https://start.vertx.io/starter.zip -d "artifactId=layered-container-jib" -d "jdkVersion=11" -d "buildTool=maven" --output layered-container-jib.zip
unzip layered-container-jib.zipOr, with HTTPie:
http https://start.vertx.io/starter.zip artifactId==layered-container-jib jdkVersion==11 buildTool==maven --output layered-container-jib.zip
unzip layered-container-jib.zipOpen the pom.xml file.
You need to add the jib-maven-plugin to the <plugins> section.
You must configure two main things:
The Base Image (from): We will use a standard JDK image.
The Entrypoint (container): Since Jib explodes the classpath (it doesn’t build a fat jar), we explicitly run the Vert.x Launcher and pass your verticle as an argument.
Add the following to your pom.xml:
<plugin>
<groupId>com.google.cloud.tools</groupId>
<artifactId>jib-maven-plugin</artifactId>
<version>3.4.4</version>
<configuration>
<from>
<image>eclipse-temurin:11-jre</image> <!--(1)-->
</from>
<to>
<image>layered-container-jib</image> <!--(2)-->
</to>
<container>
<mainClass>io.vertx.launcher.application.VertxApplication</mainClass> <!--(3)-->
<args>
<arg>${main.verticle}</arg> <!--(4)-->
</args>
<ports>
<port>8888</port> <!--(5)-->
</ports>
</container>
</configuration>
</plugin>The base image.
We use eclipse-temurin:11-jre to keep the image size small.
The name of the image being built.
The main class to run: the Vert.x Launcher.
The arguments passed to the launcher: the name of your main verticle (defined in properties).
The port the container exposes (matches the HTTP server port).
You can now build the container image.
If you want to build the image and save it directly to your local Docker daemon (so you can run it immediately with docker run), use the specific dockerBuild goal.
mvn compile jib:dockerBuild|
Note
|
If you want to push the image directly to a registry (like Docker Hub) without needing Docker running on your machine, you would use |
Now that the image is built and available in your local Docker daemon, you can run it.
docker run -t -i -p 8888:8888 layered-container-jibYou should see the Vert.x startup logs:
HTTP server started on port 8888 INFO: Succeeded in deploying verticle
You can now test the application by opening your browser to http://localhost:8888.
This section describes how to use Google Jib with Gradle (Kotlin DSL).
Open your browser to https://start.vertx.io.
Select Gradle build tool.
Set jib-gradle-howto as artifactId.
Select JDK 11 or higher.
Click Generate Project to download the project archive.
Unzip the archive into a folder.
Alternatively, open a terminal and run:
curl -G https://start.vertx.io/starter.zip -d "artifactId=layered-container-jib" -d "jdkVersion=11" -d "buildTool=gradle" --output layered-container-jib.zip
unzip layered-container-jib.zipOr, with HTTPie:
http https://start.vertx.io/starter.zip artifactId==layered-container-jib jdkVersion==11 buildTool==gradle --output layered-container-jib.zip
unzip layered-container-jib.zipOpen the build.gradle.kts file.
First, you need to define the Jib plugin.
plugins {
java
application
id("com.github.johnrengelman.shadow") version "8.1.1"
id("com.google.cloud.tools.jib") version "3.4.4" // (1)
}The Jib Gradle Plugin
Then you need to apply the Jib plugin and configure the container entry point.
jib {
from {
image = "eclipse-temurin:11-jre" // (1)
}
to {
image = "layered-container-jib" // (2)
}
container {
mainClass = launcherClassName // (3)
args = listOf(mainVerticleName) // (4)
ports = listOf("8888") // (5)
}
}The base image. We use eclipse-temurin:11-jre to keep the image size small.
The name of the image being built.
The main class to run: the Vert.x Launcher.
The arguments passed to the launcher: the name of your main verticle (defined in properties).
The port the container exposes (matches the HTTP server port).
You can now build the container image.
If you want to build the image and save it directly to your local Docker daemon (so you can run it immediately with docker run), use the specific jibDockerBuild task.
./gradlew jibDockerBuild|
Note
|
If you want to push the image directly to a registry (like Docker Hub) without needing Docker running on your machine, you would use ./gradlew jibBuild.
You will need to configure registry authentication for this.
|
Now that the image is built and available in your local Docker daemon, you can run it.
docker run -t -i -p 8888:8888 layered-container-jibYou should see the Vert.x startup logs:
HTTP server started on port 8888 INFO: Succeeded in deploying verticle
You can now test the application by opening your browser to http://localhost:8888.
This document covered:
configuring the Google Jib plugin for Maven,
configuring the Google Jib plugin for Gradle.
Last published: 2025-12-09 01:02:08 +0000.