How to execute MySQL command from the host to container running MySQL server?

You can connect to your mysql container and run your commands using:

docker exec -it mysql bash -l

(Where mysql is the name you gave the container)

Keep in mind that anything you do will not persist to the next time your run a container from the same image.

To connect to the MySQL database using MySQL command line client.

1. I connect to the bash into the running MySQL container:

   $ docker exec -t -i container_mysql_name /bin/bash

   -i is the shortcut for --interactive option. This options is used for keep STDIN open even if not attached

   -t is the shortcut for --tty option, used to allocate a pseudo-TTY

2. I run MySQL client from bash MySQL container:

   $ mysql -uroot -proot

   -u is shortcut for --user=name option, used to define user for login if not current user.

   -p is shortcut for -password[=name] option, used to define password to use when connecting to server. If password is not given it's asked from the tty.

3. Disco!

docker exec -i some_mysql_container mysql -uroot -ppassword  <<< "select database();"