---
name: "podman-container-diff"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "podman"
version: "6.1.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/podman-container-diff"
---

# podman-container-diff(1)

Inspect changes on a container's filesystem

## NAME

podman-container-diff - Inspect changes on a container's filesystem

## SYNOPSIS

**podman container diff** \[*options*\] *container* \[*container*\]

## DESCRIPTION

Displays changes on a container's filesystem. The container is compared to its parent layer or the second argument when given.

The output is prefixed with the following symbols:

| | |
| --- | --- |
| **Symbol** | **Description** |
| A | A file or directory was added. |
| D | A file or directory was deleted. |
| C | A file or directory was changed. |

## OPTIONS

### --format

Alter the output into a different format. The only valid format for **podman container diff** is **json**.

### --latest, -l

Instead of providing the container name or ID, use the last created container. Note: the last started container can be from other users of Podman on the host machine. (This option is not available with the remote Podman client, including Mac and Windows (excluding WSL2) machines)

## EXAMPLES

```
# podman container diff container1
C /usr
C /usr/local
C /usr/local/bin
A /usr/local/bin/docker-entrypoint.sh
```

```
$ podman container diff --format json container1 container2
{
     "added": [
          "/test"
     ]
}
```

```
$ podman container diff --latest
C /etc
```

## SEE ALSO

**[podman(1)](/podman/1.md)**, **[podman-container(1)](/podman-container/1.md)**

## HISTORY

July 2021, Originally compiled by Paul Holzinger pholzing@redhat.com ⟨mailto:pholzing@redhat.com⟩