# APM-server docker image does not support curl, preventing proper health test

**URL:** https://discuss.elastic.co/t/apm-server-docker-image-does-not-support-curl-preventing-proper-health-test/359274
**Category:** APM
**Tags:** docker, server
**Created:** [May 10, 2024, 3:58pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/apm-server-docker-image-does-not-support-curl-preventing-proper-health-test/359274 "2024-05-10T15:58:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Gil\_Zigelman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/gil_zigelman/32/130705_2.png) [@Gil\_Zigelman](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Gil_Zigelman)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 3:58pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/apm-server-docker-image-does-not-support-curl-preventing-proper-health-test/359274/1 "2024-05-10T15:58:15Z")

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APM Server version docker image: 8.13.4

The docker image does not support curl command.  
I would like to use curl to detect whether apm-server is healthy for dependent services.

Steps to reproduce\*\*:

1. docker run -it elastic/apm-server:8.13.4  
2.docker ps --\> look for the id if the apm-server container  
3.docker exec -it [CONTAINER\_ID] /bin/bash
2. curl
3. Observe error message: "bash: curl: command not found"

Is there some alternative way to health check the apm-server container?

Thank you!

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![axw](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/axw/32/28197_2.png) [@axw](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/axw)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/apm-server-docker-image-does-not-support-curl-preventing-proper-health-test/359274/2 "2024-05-13T01:38:08Z")

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A couple of stop-gap options:

- you could manually craft an HTTP request with bash: [How to execute healthcheck without curl · Issue #58 · dart-lang/dart-docker · GitHub](https://github.com/dart-lang/dart-docker/issues/58)
- build a derivative image which installs curl

I think it would probably make sense for us to add an apm-server sub command (`apm-server test server` or something like that...) for performing a healthcheck, and defining that in the Docker image.

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![wrobitza\_aveq](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/wrobitza_aveq/32/105113_2.png) [@wrobitza\_aveq](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/wrobitza_aveq)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2025, 7:46am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/apm-server-docker-image-does-not-support-curl-preventing-proper-health-test/359274/3 "2025-08-27T07:46:27Z")

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Any updates on this? There isn’t even a package manager in the image, so neither apt/microdnf/apk works to install curl from a derived image.

(Note: `HEALTHCHECK --start-period=30s --interval=30s CMD bash -c ':> /dev/tcp/127.0.0.1/8200' || exit 1` seems to work but it’s probably not ideal to test the actual health.)