Installing Docker Using Homebrew and Running the Docker Daemon with Colima

If you're looking to set up Docker using the command line interface (CLI) on macOS, Homebrew and Colima make the process seamless. Below is a step-by-step guide to installing Docker, configuring it, and starting the Docker daemon using Colima.

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Why Use Colima?

Colima (Container On Localhost In MAc) is an alternative to Docker Desktop for running containers locally on macOS. It uses Lima as the underlying virtualization layer and is lightweight, open-source, and free.

Steps to Install and Run Docker with Colima

1. Install Docker Using Homebrew
   Open the terminal and run the following command to install Docker:

   brew install docker
   

   This command downloads and installs the Docker CLI on your system.

2. Install Colima Using Homebrew
   Next, install Colima, which will allow you to manage and run Docker containers:

   brew install colima
   

3. Start the Colima Virtual Machine
   Colima provides a lightweight virtual machine to run Docker containers. Start the Colima environment with the following command:

   colima start
   

   By default, this will create and start a Colima instance with Docker preconfigured.

4. Verify Docker Context
   Docker contexts determine which environment the Docker CLI interacts with. To ensure the Docker CLI is pointing to the Colima environment, check the contexts:

   docker context ls
   

   You should see colima listed as the default context.

5. Check Docker Daemon Status
   Use the following command to verify that the Docker daemon is running and operational:

   docker ps
   

   If the daemon is active, this command will display running containers (or an empty list if no containers are running).

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Advantages of Using Colima

• Lightweight: No heavy resources required, unlike Docker Desktop.
• Cost-Free: Avoids subscription requirements for professional use.
• macOS Friendly: Colima integrates well with the macOS environment.

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Example Workflow

# Install Docker CLI
brew install docker

# Install Colima
brew install colima

# Start Colima
colima start

# List Docker contexts to verify Colima is set as the default
docker context ls

# Check running containers to confirm the daemon is operational
docker ps

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This setup ensures you have a fully functional Docker CLI and daemon running on macOS without relying on Docker Desktop. With Colima, you can now create, manage, and run containers efficiently.