gammasim · GernotMaier · Dec 17, 2025 · Jan 8, 2026
diff --git a/docs/changes/1953.doc.md b/docs/changes/1953.doc.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Improve documentation on available container images. Add new page to users guide with most important available images.
diff --git a/docs/source/user-guide/container_images.md b/docs/source/user-guide/container_images.md
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# Container Images
+
+OCI-compatible container images are available for simtools users and support both application and development use cases.  Any runtime such as [Docker](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop), [Podman](https://podman.io/), or [Apptainer](https://apptainer.org/) can be used.
+
+## Pre-built Images
+
+Below an overview of the most-relevant pre-built container images available from the [simtools package registry](https://github.com/orgs/gammasim/packages?repo_name=simtools).
+
+### Simtools Production Images
+
+[Dockerfile-simtools-prod](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/blob/main/docker/Dockerfile-simtools-prod)
+
+| Image tag | simtools version | CORSIKA image tag | sim_telarray image tag |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| latest | 0.26.0 | 20251216-095556 | 20251210-112343 |
+
+#### Legacy Simtools Production Images
+
+[Dockerfile-simtools-legacy](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/blob/main/docker/Dockerfile-simtools-legacy)
+
+### Simtools Development Images
+
+[Dockerfile-simtools-dev](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/blob/main/docker/Dockerfile-simtools-dev)
+
+package | simtools version | CORSIKA (patch) version | high-/low-energy interaction model | sim_telarray (IACT) version | remarks |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| [20251216-102359](ghcr.io/gammasim/simtools-dev:20251216-102359) | 0.26.0  | 7.8010 (v1.1.0) | QGSJet-III/URQMD | 2025.246.0 (1.70) | CORSIKA/sim_telarray from gitlab (sim_telarray from master branch) |
+| [0.25.0](ghcr.io/gammasim/simtools-dev:0.25.0) | 0.25.0 | 7.8010 (v1.1.0) | QGSJet-III/URQMD | 2025.246.0 (1.70) | CORSIKA/sim_telarray installation from tar packages |
+
+### CORSIKA7 Images
+
+[Dockerfile-corsika7](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/blob/main/docker/Dockerfile-corsika7)
+
+- [ ] TODO: release compile configurations and update link
+- [ ] TODO: change tag to released version
+
+| Image tag | CORSIKA version | high-/low-energy interaction model | Compile Configuration | Patch version (CPU optimizations) | Packages |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
+20251216-095556 | 7.8010 | QGSJet-III/URQMD | [v0.1.0](https://gitlab.cta-observatory.org/cta-computing/dpps/simpipe/simulation_software/corsika7-config) | [v1.1.0](https://gitlab.cta-observatory.org/cta-computing/dpps/simpipe/simulation_software/corsika-opt-patches/-/releases/v1.1.0) | [no optimization](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/pkgs/container/corsika7-78010-no_opt), [AVX2](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/pkgs/container/corsika7-78010-avx2), [AVX512](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/pkgs/container/corsika7-78010-avx512f), [sse4](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/pkgs/container/corsika7-78010-sse4)|
+
+### sim_telarray Images
+
+[Dockerfile-sim_telarray](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/blob/main/docker/Dockerfile-simtel_array)
+
+- [ ] TODO: assign version numbers to sim_telarray packages and release
+- [ ] TODO: change tag to released version
+
+Image tag | sim_telarray version | hessio version | stdtools version | Packages |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
+20251210-112343 | [master](https://gitlab.cta-observatory.org/cta-computing/dpps/simpipe/simulation_software/sim_telarray) | [master](https://gitlab.cta-observatory.org/cta-computing/dpps/simpipe/simulation_software/hessio) | [master](https://gitlab.cta-observatory.org/cta-computing/dpps/simpipe/simulation_software/stdtools) | [prod6-baseline](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/pkgs/container/simtel-251124-prod6-baseline)
diff --git a/docs/source/user-guide/getting_started.md b/docs/source/user-guide/getting_started.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Getting Started
 
 Using simtools requires installing and accessing its [main components](../components/index.md):
-the [simtools package](#installation), the simulation software  [CORSIKA and sim_telarray](#installation-of-corsika-and-sim_telarray), and the [simulation model database](model-database-access).
+the [simtools package](#installation), the simulation software [CORSIKA and sim_telarray](#installation-of-corsika-and-sim_telarray), and the [simulation model database](model-database-access).
 
 For development-related information, see [Getting Started as a Developer](../developer-guide/getting_started_as_developer.md).
 
@@ -10,23 +10,26 @@ For development-related information, see [Getting Started as a Developer](../dev
 simtools can be installed using one of the following methods:
 
 - Using a [container image](container-images) with all software pre-installed (**recommended**)
-- Via [pip](pip-installation) or [conda](conda-installation). Requires manual compilation and installation of **CORSIKA** and **sim_telarray**. See the [section below](#installation-of-corsika-and-sim_telarray) for details.
+- Via [pip](pip-installation) or [conda](conda-installation). Requires manual compilation and installation of **CORSIKA** and **sim_telarray**. See the [section below](#installation-of-corsika-and-sim_telarray) for details. Note that the conda package might not always contain the latest simtools version.
 
 ## Container Images
 
 OCI-compatible container images are available for simtools users and support both application and development use cases.  Any runtime such as [Docker](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop), [Podman](https://podman.io/), or [Apptainer](https://apptainer.org/) can be used.
 These images eliminate all manual installation steps and allow direct execution of simtools applications.
 
+The most important types of images are:
+
 ### Pre-built Images
 
-- **Production images** (`simtools`): Include CORSIKA, sim_telarray, and simtools applications. Variants are available with:
+- **Simtools Production images** ([simtools-prod](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/pkgs/container/simtools-sim-telarray-250903-corsika-78010-bernlohr-1.70-prod6-baseline-qgs3-no_opt)): Include CORSIKA, sim_telarray, and simtools applications. Variants are available with:
   - Different CORSIKA/sim_telarray versions
   - Compile options (e.g., `prod5`, `prod6`)
   - CPU optimizations (e.g., `avx2`, `avx512`, `no_opt`)
-- **Development images** (`simtools-dev`): Include all dependencies for simtools development, as well as CORSIKA and sim_telarray, but do not contain simtools itself.
+- **Simtools Development images** ([simtools-dev](https://github.com/gammasim/simtools/pkgs/container/simtools-dev)): Include all dependencies for simtools development, as well as CORSIKA and sim_telarray, but do not contain simtools itself.
 
 Pre-built images are hosted on the [simtools package registry](https://github.com/orgs/gammasim/packages?repo_name=simtools). Authentication may be required; follow [GitHub's guide](https://docs.github.com/en/packages/working-with-a-github-packages-registry/working-with-the-container-registry) to configure access (`docker login`).
 
+
 ### Running a simtools Production Image
 
 **Prerequisite**: Configure [simulation model database access](model-database-access).
@@ -58,9 +61,9 @@ podman run --rm -it \
 
 ### Pip Installation
 
-simtools is available as a Python package from [PypPi](https://pypi.org/project/gammasimtools/).
+simtools is available as a Python package from [PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/gammasimtools/).
 
-To install, prepare a python environment, e.g.:
+To install, prepare a Python environment, e.g.:
 
 ```console
 mamba create --name simtools-prod python=3.12
@@ -86,14 +89,14 @@ conda activate gammasimtools
 ## Installation of CORSIKA and sim_telarray
 
 CORSIKA and sim_telarray are external tools to simtools and are required dependencies for many applications.
-The installation requires some preparation, this is why it is recommended to use the Docker environment
+The installation requires some preparation; therefore, it is recommended to use the Docker environment.
 
-For a non-Docker setup, follow the instruction provided by the CORSIKA/sim_telarray authors for installation.
+For a non-Docker setup, follow the instructions provided by the CORSIKA/sim_telarray authors for installation.
 CTAO users can download both packages from the [sim_telarray web page](https://www.mpi-hd.mpg.de/hfm/CTA/MC/Software/Testing/)
 (CTAO password applies) and install the package with:
 
 ```console
-tar -czf corsika7.7_simtelarray.tar.gz
+tar -xzf corsika7.7_simtelarray.tar.gz
 ./build_all prod6-sc qgs2 gsl
 ```
 
@@ -102,7 +105,7 @@ The environmental variable `$SIMTOOLS_SIMTEL_PATH` should point towards the CORS
 
 ## Model Database Access
 
-Simulation model parameters are stored in database.
+Simulation model parameters are stored in the database.
 Many simtools applications depend on access to this database.
 
 :::{note}
@@ -139,5 +142,5 @@ SIMTOOLS_USER_ORCID='0000-1234-5678-0000'
 ```
 
 ```{note}
-Any simtools application command line argument can be set as an environment variable, see the [application configuration](applications.md#configuration) section.
+Any simtools application command-line argument can be set as an environment variable, see the [application configuration](applications.md#configuration) section.
 ```
diff --git a/docs/source/user-guide/index.md b/docs/source/user-guide/index.md
@@ -20,4 +20,5 @@ productions.md
 manage_simulation_models.md
 simulate_calibration_data
 applications.md
+container_images.md
 ```
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		@@ -0,0 +1 @@
		Improve documentation on available container images. Add new page to users guide with most important available images.