Docker / Docker
Docker Compose Build Fails with Invalid Bake Configuration When additional_contexts Not in depends_on
Fix Docker Compose build failure where a service references another service via additional_contexts but doesn't declare it in depends_on, causing Docker Compose to generate an invalid bake configuration. Includes evidence for Docker troubleshooting demand.
- Category
- Docker
- Error signature
failed to find additional_contexts target — docker compose up --build generates invalid bake config with empty target reference- Quick fix
- Reduce request pressure, check quota or plan limits, and retry with backoff instead of immediate repeated requests.
- Updated
What this error means
failed to find additional_contexts target — docker compose up --build generates invalid bake config with empty target reference is a Docker failure pattern reported for developers trying to fix docker compose build failure where a service references another service via additional_contexts but doesn’t declare it in depends_on, causing docker compose to generate an invalid bake configuration.. Based on the imported evidence, treat this as a tool-specific troubleshooting page rather than a generic API error.
Why this happens
GitHub issue in docker/compose repo (#13338) describing a bug where referencing a service in additional_contexts without listing it in depends_on triggers invalid bake config with empty target reference. Minimal reproducible case provided. Bug in widely-used multi-container orchestration tool — affects paid Docker Desktop Enterprise users and teams deploying production stacks.
Common causes
- GitHub issue in docker/compose repo (#13338) describing a bug where referencing a service in additional_contexts without listing it in depends_on triggers invalid bake config with empty target reference. Minimal reproducible case provided. Bug in widely-used multi-container orchestration tool — affects paid Docker Desktop Enterprise users and teams deploying production stacks.
Quick fixes
- Confirm the exact error signature matches
failed to find additional_contexts target — docker compose up --build generates invalid bake config with empty target reference. - Check the Docker account, local tool state, and provider configuration involved in the failing workflow.
- Reduce request pressure, check quota or plan limits, and retry with backoff instead of immediate repeated requests.
Platform/tool-specific checks
- Verify the command, editor, extension, or API client that produced the error.
- Compare local settings with CI, deployment, or editor-level settings when the error appears in only one environment.
- Avoid deleting credentials, local model data, or project settings until the failing scope is clear.
Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Capture the exact error message and the command, editor action, or request that triggered it.
- Check whether the failure is account/auth, quota/rate, model/provider, local runtime, or deployment configuration.
- Review the source evidence below and compare it with your environment.
- Apply one change at a time and rerun the smallest failing action.
- Keep the working fix documented for the team or deployment environment.
How to prevent it
- Keep provider/tool configuration documented.
- Record non-secret diagnostics such as tool version, provider name, model name, and command path.
- Add a lightweight check before CI or production workflows depend on the tool.
Sources checked
Evidence note: GitHub issue in docker/compose repo (#13338) describing a bug where referencing a service in additional_contexts without listing it in depends_on triggers invalid bake config with empty target reference. Minimal reproducible case provided. Bug in widely-used multi-container orchestration tool — affects paid Docker Desktop Enterprise users and teams deploying production stacks.
Related errors
- Docker
FAQ
What should I check first?
Start with the exact failed to find additional_contexts target — docker compose up --build generates invalid bake config with empty target reference text and the smallest action that reproduces it.
Can I ignore this error?
No. Treat it as a failed Docker workflow until the root cause is understood.
Is this guaranteed to have one fix?
No. The imported evidence supports the troubleshooting path above, but tool behavior can vary by account, plan, version, provider, and local configuration.
How do I know the fix worked?
Rerun the same command, editor action, or request. The fix is working when that action completes without failed to find additional_contexts target — docker compose up --build generates invalid bake config with empty target reference.