Why My Docker Extension Vanished in Cursor After Updates and How I Fixed It

Docker is my daily development lifeline, so imagine my panic when its Cursor IDE extension vanished after an automatic update. Poof! Gone overnight, crippling my remote container workflows. Here’s exactly how I solved the mystery and restored my setup.

The Core Problem: Missing Docker Tools and Endless Loading

After updating extensions, my Docker tab disappeared completely. No sidebar icon, no commands in the palette. The Remote Explorer just spun endlessly when connecting to DevContainers. Rolling back Cursor versions didn’t help. Here’s what I saw:

• The installed ms-azuretools.vscode-docker extension was invisible in my UI
• Critical commands like “DevContainers: Rebuild and Reopen” were missing
• Extension logs showed nasty ECONNREFUSED errors

The Fix That Restored My Docker Extension

Turns out Microsoft had quietly moved Docker functionality into a new “Containers” extension. Here’s what brought everything back:

• Install the new extension: Grab ms-azuretools.vscode-containers from Cursor’s marketplace. This is non-negotiable for post-update functionality.
• Verify compatibility: Ensure both ms-azuretools.vscode-docker (v2.0.0+) and the new Containers extension are enabled. If they don’t appear, reload Cursor or restart your IDE.
• Remove conflicts: Uninstall older tools like ms-vscode.remote-explorer if you’re using Anysphere’s SSH tools to prevent clashes.

After this, my Containers tab reappeared like magic. Docker commands worked perfectly again.

Dealing with Persistent Remote Explorer Issues

Even after restoring Docker, my Remote Explorer sometimes froze when loading DevContainers. Here’s how I crushed those last gremlins:

• Switch SSH extensions: Install anysphere.remote-ssh instead of legacy versions. This fixed most connection hiccups.
• Check connection logs: Open “Remote – SSH” and “Remote – Dev Containers” output panels. Spot ECONNREFUSED errors? That usually means network issues – verify SSH configs and open ports.
• Manual reconnect: When things freeze, run “Dev Containers: Re-open in container” from the command palette to force a fresh connection.

Now I watch logs like a hawk during updates. These tweaks keep my Docker workflow humming in Cursor without surprises.