US Patent 11481232 Registry image management

An approach to managing images in a registry constructed as a multi-layer file system are disclosed. The method comprises receiving a first request for downloading a first image, the first request comprising a download policy. The method also comprises obtaining a plurality of compositions of layers of the first image, wherein content of layers specified by each composition of layers collectively constitute content of the first image. The method also comprises selecting a composition of layers from the plurality of compositions of layers of the first image based on the download policy. The method also comprises sending content of layers specified by the selected composition of layers.