apx

View documentation for managing package managers

$ tldr apx pkgmanagers

$ tldr apx stacks

$ tldr apx subsystems

apx [OPTIONS] COMMAND [ARGS]...
Commands: run, shell, exec, list, enter, delete, install, images

-h, --help
    Show help for specified command

--version
    Print apx version

-r, --root
    Use rootful containers (podman/docker root mode)

--debug
    Enable debug logging

--profile PROFILE
    Use custom container profile

--image IMAGE
    Specify container image

-n, --name NAME
    Custom container name

--runtime RUNTIME
    Container runtime: podman (default), docker, nerdctl

--keep
    Keep container after exit

--rm
    Remove container after exit (default for run)

apx is a lightweight command-line tool for running applications and shells inside Linux containers without manual setup. It automatically creates disposable, image-based environments using podman (default) or Docker, mounting the host filesystem for seamless integration. Designed as a modern, faster alternative to tools like distrobox or toolbox, apx supports per-app containers, shared environments, and easy management.

Key features include: auto-image pulling based on app names, bind-mounting user directories (/home, /tmp), X11/Wayland forwarding for GUI apps, persistent storage options, and rootless operation. Run binaries directly (e.g., apx run firefox) or enter shells (apx shell). It excels in isolating dependencies, avoiding system pollution, and enabling multi-distro testing on one host.

Ideal for developers needing isolated toolchains or users wanting unprivileged apps in custom distros. Supports OCI images, custom registries, and scripting via exit codes and env vars.

Requires podman/dockerd with fuse-overlayfs for rootless; GUI apps need host display access; large images download on first use; not for production servers.

apx run APP: Run app in new container.
apx shell [DISTRO]: Interactive shell.
apx enter NAME: Enter existing container.
apx delete NAME: Remove container.

YAML-defined profiles for custom images, mounts, env vars (e.g., ~/.config/apx/profiles.d/).

Developed by Ivan Štefanec in 2023 as a simpler, faster distrobox alternative. Initial release v1.0 in April 2023; now at v2.x with podman integration, profile support, and nerdctl runtime. Actively maintained on GitHub.

podman(1), distrobox(1), toolbox(1), docker(1)