Docker Desktop

Overview

Docker is a tool for leveraging containerized environments, making it easy to run/test software or host local development environments.

Docker leverages a feature of the Linux kernel, and therefore does not run natively on macOS (or Windows). Docker Desktop is a desktop application and set of CLI tools that enable you to interact with containers. Docker Desktop installs a very small Linux environment and binds its virtualization to macOS using HyperKit and Hypervisor.framework.

Important

Again, Docker does not run natively on macOS. Docker Desktop is not just the desktop application — it's any use of the docker CLI tool used directly in a macOS terminal.

Installation with Homebrew

The following command will install the complete Docker Desktop package, including all CLI tools. Docker Desktop will then self-update.

brew install --cask docker

Recommended settings

Settings not listed here, set them however you want.

Settings Tab	Setting	Value
General	Use containerd for pulling and storing images	✓
	Use Virtualization framework	✓
	Choose file sharing implementation for your containers	VirtioFS
	Use Rosetta for x86_64/amd64 emulation on Apple Silicon	✓
Resources → Advanced	Enable Resource Saver	✓
Software updates	Automatically check for updates	✓
	Always download updates	✓
Extensions	Enable Docker Extensions	✓
	Allow only extensions distributed through the Docker Marketplace	✓
Advanced	Choose how to configure the installation of Docker's CLI tools	System (requires password)
	Allow the default Docker socket to be used (requires password)	✓

Alternatives

If you don't want to use Docker Desktop, then you can run a Linux VM with Docker installed there.

• Colima
• Lima
• Parallels Desktop (can automate with Vagrant)
• VMWare Fusion (can automate with Vagrant + VMWare Provider)
• VirtualBox (can automate with Vagrant)
• UTM