dynamo_build.md

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# Building Dynamo (`dynamo build`)

This guide explains how to use the `dynamo build` command to containerize Dynamo inference graphs (pipelines) for deployment.

`dynamo build` is a command-line tool that helps containerize inference graphs created with Dynamo SDK. Run `dynamo build --containerize` to build a stand-alone Docker container that encapsulates your entire inference graph. This image can then be shared and run standalone.

```{note}
This experimental feature is tested on the examples in the `examples/` directory. You need to make some modifications. Pay particular attention if your inference graph introduces custom dependencies.
```

## Building a containerized inference graph

The basic workflow for using `dynamo build` includes:

#. Defining your inference graph and testing locally with `dynamo serve`
#. Specifying a base image for your inference graph. More on this below.
#. Running `dynamo build` to build a containerized inference graph

### Basic Usage

```bash
dynamo build <graph_definition> --containerize
```