colima
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Description:
Container runtimes on MacOS (and Linux) with minimal setup
Type: Formula  |  Latest Version: 0.9.1@0  |  Tracked Since: Dec 17, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Developer tools
Tags: docker container macos kubernetes devops virtualization
Install: brew install colima
About:
Colima is a lightweight container runtime environment for macOS that simplifies running Docker and other container engines. It leverages Linux virtual machines under the hood but abstracts away the complexity, providing a seamless CLI experience. The tool aims to offer a zero-config setup for developers needing containerization on macOS.
Key Features:
  • Drop-in replacement for Docker Desktop
  • Automatic VM management and resource tuning
  • Support for multiple runtimes (Docker, containerd, Kubernetes)
  • Simple CLI commands for start, stop, and configure
Use Cases:
  • Running Docker containers on macOS without Docker Desktop
  • Developing in containerized environments with minimal overhead
  • Testing container builds and orchestration locally
Alternatives:
  • Docker Desktop – Colima is a free, open-source alternative that uses less system resources and avoids licensing restrictions.
  • Rancher Desktop – Similar goal, but Colima is often preferred for its simpler CLI and faster startup times.
  • lima – Colima uses lima under the hood but provides a higher-level, Docker-centric user experience.
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Oct 10, 2025 12:15pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 500418fa
Sep 25, 2025 12:16pm 0 VERSION_BUMP e7809fcf
Sep 25, 2025 10:53am 0 VERSION_BUMP 37011bb5
Sep 24, 2025 1:09pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 96ffcd55
Dec 16, 2024 10:54am 0 VERSION_BUMP d6bee081
Oct 30, 2024 12:30pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 95350e08