Fix Docker Hub Rate Limits in 30 Seconds (No Login, No BS)

Docker Hub's pull limits can break your CI builds or local development if you're not paying for Pro. If you’re getting hit by these limits, here’s how to fix it — free, fast, and no login required.

What Are Docker Hub Rate Limits?

• Anonymous users: 100 pulls per 6 hours
• Logged-in free users: 200 pulls per 6 hours
• Pro/Team: Unlimited

If you’re using shared IPs (like GitHub Actions, VMs, or NAT), it’s super easy to hit those limits without realizing it.

The Best Fix: RateLimitShield.io

RateLimitShield.io is a free Docker pull-through cache with a public mirror. Set it once and forget rate limits forever.

🔧 How To Use It (30-second setup)

1. Edit Docker config:

{
  "registry-mirrors": ["https://public-mirror.ratelimitshield.io"]
}

2.Restart Docker

3.Pull normally:

docker pull node:18
docker pull ubuntu

✅ No login
✅ Works with CI/CD
✅ Works locally
✅ No need to change image names

Other Options (if you want alternatives)
docker login: increases pull limit to 200

Push base images to your own registry (ECR, GCR, GitHub)

Use Docker layer caching in GitHub Actions or GitLab

Self-host a Docker registry proxy (e.g., Harbor, Nexus)