image registry
also: container registry, Docker registry, artifact registry
A centralized repository that stores and distributes container images, allowing users to push, pull, and manage containerized applications.
An image registry is a server that acts as a storage and distribution system for container images—pre-packaged applications with all their dependencies. Users can push (upload) their built images to a registry and pull (download) images created by others.
Popular registries include Docker Hub (the default public registry), quay.io, and Amazon ECR. Organizations often run private registries to store proprietary images and control access. A registry typically uses the format registry-url/namespace/image-name:tag, such as docker.io/library/nginx:latest.
Registries enable image versioning, distribution across teams, and automated deployments in CI/CD pipelines. Container runtimes like Docker and Podman communicate with registries using APIs to authenticate, search, and fetch images efficiently.