When you use docker on your develop life-cicle is common that you need some tools for defining and running complex applications. Actually exist somes alternatives like: fig, crane and the newest docker-compose.
I have experience with fig and crane, but recently I found some references of docker-compose but I don't know why docker group reinvent the wheel in this area.
What it's the better option to run on your local machine a complex environment with docker, for example to do: exploratory test, unit test, or to wake up a group of data services like: postgres, redis, mongodb.
Recently, the Docker team has announced that it will be releasing new tools for managing your containers, including Compose.
Compose has already replaced Fig and the activity on the issue tracker suggests that it might potentially introduce new features down the road as other tools are released.
I am a long-time Fig user, so I'm a bit biased when I suggest that you now continue with using docker-compose. If your going to give Crane a chance, then you also might be interested to explore using GNU Make for managing your containers.