container
SHA-256Create and run Linux containers as lightweight VMs on Mac, optimized for Apple silicon. Written in Swift, supports OCI images.
Smart Download
Download Download Version
v1.0.0 · 85 MB
Apple's own tool to run Linux containers as light VMs on Mac, optimized for Apple Silicon.
Core Features
- Native Apple Silicon optimization for low overhead
- OCI-compatible: pull/run/push standard container images
- Leverages macOS 26 virtualization enhancements
- Simple CLI with install, update, uninstall scripts
What It Can't Do
- •Only works on Apple Silicon Macs (M1+); requires macOS 26; pre-1.0 version may introduce breaking changes; always stop the service before upgrading.
Use Cases
- Run Linux environments on Mac for development or testing
- Build, test, and publish containerized applications locally
Detailed Introduction
container is an Apple-developed tool that lets you create and run Linux containers as lightweight virtual machines on your Mac. It is written in Swift and specifically optimized for Apple silicon (M-series chips). Unlike Docker Desktop which uses a heavier hypervisor, container leverages macOS 26's native virtualization enhancements for lower overhead and tighter integration. It consumes OCI-compatible images, so you can pull, run, and push standard container images from any registry. The project is actively developed but currently in pre-1.0 phase, with breaking changes possible between minor versions.
Tags
Getting Started
Install the software
Open the downloaded dmg file, then drag the app to Applications
Download the latest .pkg from GitHub Releases
Double-click to install, follow prompts (admin password required)
Run 'container system start' in terminal to start the service
- Download the latest .pkg from GitHub Releases
- Double-click to install, follow prompts (admin password required)
- Run 'container system start' in terminal to start the service
SHA-256 checksum verified
Checksum extracted from GitHub official Release page
SHA256 Checksum
13f45f26da94c354adcbefe1e8f7631e7f126e93c5d4dd6a5a538aa66b4f479dThis checksum is extracted from the GitHub Release page. Verify file integrity after download.
All SHA-256 checksums on this platform are extracted from the project's official GitHub Release page, without any modification. You can independently verify them on the GitHub Releases page.
Open Source Transparency
View GitHub SourceUninstall Info
Run /usr/local/bin/uninstall-container.sh -d to remove all (including data), or -k to keep data.
No Extra Dependencies
Ready to use after download. No additional runtime required.
Similar Projects
Visual Studio Code (Code - OSS)
A free, open-source code editor by Microsoft with rich extensions, debugging, and Git integration. The most popular developer tool worldwide.
scrcpy
Display and control your Android device from your computer via USB or TCP/IP. No root required, high performance, low latency, supports audio and video mirroring.
godot
Godot Engine is a free, open-source, cross-platform 2D and 3D game engine with a unified editor. Unlike Unity or Unreal, it's entirely MIT-licensed and community-driven, offering a lightweight yet powerful node-based workflow that runs on a single executable.