apple-container

Name: apple-container
Availability: InStock
Author: Sanjay Ramadugu

Build, run, and manage OCI containers as lightweight VMs on Apple-silicon macOS.

432|47|Updated Dec 22, 2025

Search Tags:#macos #apple silicon #container #virtualization #oci #image build #docker alternative

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npx skills add https://github.com/sanjay3290/ai-skills --skill apple-container-sanjay3290

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: apple-container
Source: https://github.com/sanjay3290/ai-skills/tree/main/skills/apple-container
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/sanjay3290/ai-skills --skill apple-container-sanjay3290

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Running Linux containers on macOS typically requires Docker Desktop or Podman with a shared daemon VM. This Skill guides AI agents in using Apple's open-source `container` CLI, which runs each container in its own lightweight VM without a shared daemon, while avoiding mistakes from assuming Docker-equivalent syntax. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Container Lifecycle Management: Run, create, start, stop, exec, inspect, and remove containers with per-container dedicated IPs on the vmnet network. - Image Build & Registry Operations: Build OCI images from Dockerfiles via a BuildKit builder VM, and push/pull to any OCI registry with keychain-stored credentials. - System Administration: Start and health-check launchd services, configure defaults via config.toml, manage kernels, DNS domains, networks, volumes, and persistent container machines. - Use Case: A developer on an M-series Mac wants to run an nginx container, publish port 8080, build a custom image from a Dockerfile, and push it to ghcr.io — all without installing Docker. ## Quick Start Use the apple-container skill to start the container services and run an interactive Alpine Linux container on my Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions about apple-container

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I run containers on macOS without Docker?▼

Install Apple's open-source container CLI from the apple/container GitHub releases page, then run container system start to launch the background services. After that, use container run with any OCI image, such as container run --rm -it docker.io/library/alpine sh.

What is the difference between Apple container CLI and Docker?▼

Apple's container CLI runs each container in its own lightweight Linux VM instead of sharing one daemon VM like Docker. The CLI is Docker-like but flags and command paths differ — image operations live under container image, and there is no top-level container images or pull command.

Does Apple container work on Intel Macs or macOS 15?▼

Apple container requires Apple silicon (M1 or later) and does not support Intel Macs. It officially targets macOS 26; it runs on macOS 15 but without the container network command group, custom networks, or container-to-container traffic.

Why does container run fail with an XPC connection error?▼

An XPC connection error means the background container services are not running. Run container system start to launch the apiserver and helpers, then verify health with container system status before retrying any container, image, or build command.

How do I push an image to a private registry with Apple container?▼

Authenticate first with container registry login, which stores credentials in the macOS keychain. Then tag the local image with the full registry reference using container image tag and push it with container image push.

What are the limitations of Apple container compared to Docker?▼

Apple container is Apple-silicon only, lacks Intel Mac support, and is a young project with some Docker features unimplemented. Memory freed inside guest VMs is not fully returned to macOS, and macOS 15 restricts networking to a single default subnet.