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libracoder/kiri

A lightweight container runtime for macOS, Windows and Linux that works with the Docker CLI, Compose and buildx.

Open-source alternative to:Docker DesktopOrbStack

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Last commit
2 days ago

What is it?

Kiri is a lightweight alternative to Docker Desktop and OrbStack, written in Rust. It runs containers inside one small Linux VM, or directly on the kernel on Linux, and implements the Docker Engine API so existing docker, Compose and buildx workflows keep working.

Kiri also provides local domains of the form http://<name>.kiri.local with HTTPS certificates issued by its own certificate authority. It can run a single-node Kubernetes cluster, create Linux machines, run amd64 images on Apple silicon through Rosetta, and import images, volumes and containers from OrbStack or Docker Desktop.

A native window shows containers, images, volumes and networks, and a menu bar item is available on macOS. The project publishes installers as .dmg, .msi, .deb and .rpm packages.

Key features

  • 01Runs containers in a small Linux VM or directly on the kernel on Linux.
  • 02Speaks the Docker Engine API, so docker, Compose and buildx work unchanged.
  • 03Provides local domains with HTTPS from its own certificate authority.
  • 04Runs amd64 images on Apple silicon through Rosetta.
  • 05Includes a one-command single-node Kubernetes cluster and Linux machines.
  • 06Can import images, volumes and containers from OrbStack or Docker Desktop.

Use cases

  • Replacing Docker Desktop or OrbStack on a macOS or Windows development machine.
  • Running Compose stacks locally with friendly .kiri.local domains.
  • Spinning up a quick single-node Kubernetes cluster for testing.
  • Running amd64 images on Apple silicon Macs.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Download the installer for your platform from the releases page

  2. 2

    Run a container through the Kiri Docker context

    docker --context kiri run --rm alpine echo hello
  3. 3

    Start a Compose project through Kiri

    docker --context kiri compose up -d

Things to know

  • Windows support requires WSL 2.
  • Official installers cover macOS 14 or later, Windows 10 and 11, and Linux packages only.

In collections

Open-source Mac apps

Topics

#containers#docker#container-runtime#rust#kubernetes#macos#linux#developer-tools

FAQ

What is kiri?
A lightweight container runtime for macOS, Windows and Linux that works with the Docker CLI, Compose and buildx. Kiri is a lightweight alternative to Docker Desktop and OrbStack, written in Rust. It runs containers inside one small Linux VM, or directly on the kernel on Linux, and implements the Docker Engine API so existing docker, Compose and buildx workflows keep working.
Is kiri free to use? What license does it have?
kiri is open source under the Apache-2.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is kiri still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to kiri was on Nov 6, 2026.
What can I use kiri for?
Replacing Docker Desktop or OrbStack on a macOS or Windows development machine. Running Compose stacks locally with friendly .kiri.local domains. Spinning up a quick single-node Kubernetes cluster for testing. Running amd64 images on Apple silicon Macs.
How do I install kiri?
Download the installer for your platform from the releases page Run a container through the Kiri Docker context: docker --context kiri run --rm alpine echo hello Start a Compose project through Kiri: docker --context kiri compose up -d
Where can I get kiri?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/libracoder/kiri

Summary generated by AI from the project's README. GitHub stats refresh daily.

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