Tips for building custom execution containers

Execution containers in Octopus Deploy offer a streamlined approach to managing dependencies by allowing users to create custom Docker images with pre-installed software, thus addressing the challenges of software version compatibility and simplifying deployment processes. The text outlines the benefits of execution containers, including the ease of upgrading deployment processes by specifying Docker images with the desired software version, and provides practical tips for creating custom images, such as using base images to reduce build times and leveraging Docker manifest for cross-platform compatibility. It highlights the significance of naming and versioning Docker images based on key software and suggests scheduling builds to check for new versions to maintain up-to-date containers. The author shares insights gained from personal experience and emphasizes the flexibility and efficiency provided by execution containers in reducing bloat and download times for deployment tasks.