colima

Start the daemon in the background

$ colima start

$ colima start --edit

$ colima start --runtime containerd

$ colima start --kubernetes

$ colima start --cpu [number] --memory [memory] --disk [storage_space]

$ colima start

$ colima list

$ colima status

colima [COMMAND] [OPTIONS]

Common commands:
colima start [OPTIONS]
colima stop [PROFILE]
colima delete [PROFILE]
colima status [PROFILE]
colima ssh [PROFILE]
colima exec [PROFILE] COMMAND [ARGS...]
colima list
colima logs [PROFILE]

--cpu
    Number of CPUs for the VM (default: 2).

--memory
    Memory size for the VM (e.g., 2GB, 2048MB, default: 2GB).

--disk
    Disk size for the VM (e.g., 60GB, 60000MB, default: 60GB).

--runtime
    Container runtime to use (docker or containerd, default: docker).

--vm-type
    VM type (qemu, vz, hyperkit, wsl2, default: auto-detected).

--profile
    Profile name for managing multiple Colima instances (default: default).

--mount
    Mount host directory into the VM (e.g., ~/myproject:/mnt/myproject). Can be specified multiple times.

--network-address
    Enable host network address for direct access to the VM (default: true).

--ssh-agent
    Enable SSH agent forwarding to the VM (default: false).

--dns
    Specify a DNS server for the VM.

--kubernetes
    Install Kubernetes (K3s) inside the VM (default: false).

Colima provides a Docker-compatible environment on macOS and Linux, leveraging containerd and optionally the Docker CLI. It acts as a lightweight, open-source alternative to Docker Desktop, running a minimal Linux virtual machine to host container runtimes. Colima supports various VM backends, including QEMU, HyperKit, Virtualization.framework (macOS), and WSL2 (Windows), offering flexibility across different operating systems.

It simplifies the setup process, allowing developers to run Docker containers, build images, and manage services locally using familiar Docker commands, but without the overhead of Docker Desktop. Colima is built on top of the Lima (Linux on Mac) project and extends its functionality specifically for container orchestration and development workloads, making it a popular choice for resource-efficient local development environments.

Colima relies on underlying VM technologies (QEMU, HyperKit, Virtualization.framework, WSL2) to operate. Ensure the appropriate virtualization software is installed and configured on your system.
While it provides a robust Docker-compatible environment, it does not include the graphical user interface (GUI) components or advanced integrated Kubernetes cluster management features found in Docker Desktop. It is primarily designed for command-line driven development workflows.

Supports both Docker and containerd runtimes.
Configurable VM resources (CPU, memory, disk).
Multiple VM profiles for different projects.
Integration with existing Docker CLI.
Mounting of host directories into the VM.
Optional Kubernetes (K3s) support for local development.
Seamless networking and port forwarding.

1. Install Colima: Typically via Homebrew on macOS or Linux.
2. Start Colima: Run colima start (optional flags for resources, runtime).
3. Use Docker/Nerdctl: Once started, your existing docker or nerdctl commands will automatically connect to the Colima VM.
4. Stop/Delete: Use colima stop or colima delete when done to free up resources.

Colima emerged as a response to the increasing resource consumption and licensing changes of Docker Desktop. Built atop the open-source Lima (Linux on Mac) project, Colima simplifies the process of running container runtimes like Docker and containerd in a lightweight virtual machine. Its development aimed to provide a free, open-source, and resource-efficient alternative for local container development, gaining significant traction, especially among macOS users seeking a leaner solution. It abstracts away much of the manual configuration required for Lima, focusing specifically on container-related workflows.

docker(1), nerdctl(1), lima(1), kubectl(1)