Since version 2018.3 it's possible to use Perl5 interpreter from the Docker container

Plugin provides you a possibility to add and work with fully-functional Perl5 interpreter from the Docker image of your choice, including Perl5 from supported version managers: Plenv or Perlbrew.

For each execution of your script, or tool, like perlcritic or pertidy, IDE creates a new container, executes command and removes container.

Meaning you can't, for example, install any packages into such interpreter with IDE actions, as you may do in local case. Current workflow expects that docker image you are using is properly built and any persistent updates should be done using Dockerfile and image re-building.

IDE treats container as a remote machine and downloads files from @INC directories to the local cache for indexing. If you have rebuilt your docker image, e.g. to install some packages, don't forget to use Refresh Interpreter Information action from Tools: Perl5 menu. This action updates local cache files.

IMPORTANT: Every container has a /intellijperl mount point in your root filesystem. This mount point contains your host machine files: your project, some helpers scripts and IDE internal files. Any changes inside this mount point are changes to your host machine filesystem, not container.

Nice introduction to Docker: https://youtu.be/YFl2mCHdv24