ignite

Create a new React Native project

$ ignite new [project_name]

$ ignite generate [plugin_name] [path/to/file]

$ ignite add [plugin_name]

$ ignite remove [plugin_name]

ignite [global-options] <command> [command-options] [arguments]

Common commands include:
ignite run (create and start a VM)
ignite list (list running VMs)
ignite stop (stop a VM)
ignite rm (remove a VM)
ignite ssh (SSH into a VM)

--cpus
    Number of virtual CPUs to assign to the VM.

--memory
    Amount of RAM to assign to the VM (e.g., "2GB", "512MiB").

--name
    Unique identifier or name for the VM instance.

--ssh
    Path to an SSH public key to inject into the VM for root access.

--oci
    OCI image to use as the VM's root filesystem.

--kernel-image
    OCI image containing the VM's kernel.

--network-plugin
    Specify the CNI network plugin to use for VM networking (e.g., "cni", "docker-bridge").

--log-level
    Set the logging verbosity (e.g., "debug", "info", "warn").

ignite is a command-line tool developed by Weaveworks designed to simplify the management and operation of micro Virtual Machines (VMs) powered by Firecracker.

It enables users to treat OCI (Open Container Initiative) images, typically used for containers, as full-fledged VMs. This approach allows for rapid provisioning, booting, and scaling of VMs with a user experience akin to managing containers.

ignite leverages Firecracker's minimal overhead and fast boot times to provide isolated environments. It handles the underlying complexities of setting up Firecracker, networking, and disk management, abstracting them away to provide a streamlined interface. Its primary goal is to bridge the gap between container portability and VM isolation and security.

Requires a Linux kernel with KVM support enabled.
Relies on Firecracker, which itself has specific hardware and software requirements.
Often requires root or privileged access to manage VMs and their associated networking components.
Not a general-purpose virtualization solution like QEMU/KVM; specialized for lightweight microVMs.
Primarily designed for server workloads, not graphical desktop environments.

ignite redefines how OCI images are utilized. Instead of merely running processes within isolated containers, it boots a full Linux kernel and root filesystem directly from an OCI image into a Firecracker microVM. This provides a distinct and strongly isolated runtime environment, blurring the lines between container and VM.

MicroVMs are extremely lightweight virtual machines, optimized for rapid boot times and minimal resource consumption. They achieve this by emulating only essential hardware components, unlike traditional VMs. ignite leverages this technology, making it ideal for use cases like serverless functions, edge computing, and highly isolated multi-tenant environments.

ignite was developed by Weaveworks, with its initial public release in 2019. It emerged from the need to combine the fast boot times and low overhead characteristic of containers with the strong isolation and security provided by traditional VMs. This was achieved by leveraging Amazon's open-source Firecracker Virtual Machine Monitor. The project's development aimed to simplify the process of running OCI images directly as virtual machines, thereby providing a more 'container-like' workflow for virtual machine management.

firecracker(1), docker(1), podman(1), virsh(1), qemu(1)