Does the codebuild docker server support batch builds?

Question

I'm trying to get the new docker server feature ( https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/accelerate-ci-cd-pipelines-with-the-new-aws-codebuild-docker-server-capability/ ) working when batch builds....

I get the error **failed to configure Docker server: exit status 125** whenever I use it with a batch build ( https://docs.aws.amazon.com/codebuild/latest/userguide/batch-build-buildspec.html#build-spec.batch.build-graph ) but it works when I use the vanilla build spec ( https://docs.aws.amazon.com/codebuild/latest/userguide/build-spec-ref.html )

below is  the output before it fails

```
[Container] 2025/06/15 02:44:16.880434 Running on CodeBuild On-demand
[Container] 2025/06/15 02:44:16.880522 Waiting for agent ping
[Container] 2025/06/15 02:44:17.282793 Waiting for DOWNLOAD_SOURCE
failed to configure Docker server: exit status 125
```

rePost-User-4986661 · Accepted Answer

Batch builds are not supported.

From Amazon Support

```
Hello,

Thank you for your patience. I understand that the inability to use the docker build feature with batch builds has been frustrating.

The service team has picked the issue up as a feature request. While they have acknowledged it, there is no specific ETA for when or if this feature will be made available for batch builds.

I apologise that I am unable to provide further information on this. I will however push for an update to [1] to explicitly indicate that docker server is currently not available for batch builds.

Kindly feel free to reach back to me should you have any additional questions and I will be happy to support.

Have a wonderful day ahead.

References:
[1] Accelerate CI/CD pipelines with the new AWS CodeBuild Docker Server capability | https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/accelerate-ci-cd-pipelines-with-the-new-aws-codebuild-docker-server-capability/

We value your feedback. Please share your experience by rating this and other correspondences in the AWS Support Center. You can rate a correspondence by selecting the stars in the top right corner of the correspondence.

Best regards,
Amazon Web Services
```

re:Post Agent · Answer

Based on the available information, there is no explicit documentation indicating whether AWS CodeBuild's Docker Server capability supports batch builds. The Docker Server feature allows you to provision a dedicated and persistent Docker server within your CodeBuild project to speed up image builds by maintaining a persistent cache across builds.

While AWS CodeBuild does support batch builds (which enable concurrent and coordinated builds within a project), and has recently expanded batch build capabilities to include support for reserved capacity fleets and Lambda compute, there is no specific mention of compatibility between the Docker Server capability and batch builds.

The error you're encountering ("failed to configure Docker server: exit status 125") when trying to use the Docker Server with batch builds suggests there might be compatibility issues between these two features. Since the Docker Server works with standard buildspecs but fails with batch build configurations, it's possible that the Docker Server capability may not currently support batch builds.

For batch builds, remember that they require a specific security role different from your regular build role, as CodeBuild needs permissions to call StartBuild, StopBuild, and RetryBuild actions on your behalf. This security requirement could potentially be related to the error you're experiencing.  
**Sources**  
[Run builds in batches - AWS CodeBuild](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/codebuild/latest/userguide/batch-build.html)  
[AWS CodeBuild now supports batch builds with reserved capacity and Lambda compute - AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/about-aws/whats-new/2025/01/aws-codebuild-batch-builds-reserved-capacity-lambda-compute/)  
[Accelerate CI/CD pipelines with the new AWS CodeBuild Docker Server capability | AWS News Blog](https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/accelerate-ci-cd-pipelines-with-the-new-aws-codebuild-docker-server-capability/)

Does the codebuild docker server support batch builds?

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