OrbStack
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What is OrbStack?
OrbStack is a fast, lightweight Mac app for running Docker containers and Linux machines, used as a replacement for Docker Desktop. It is built for Apple Silicon and uses far less memory and battery.
A fast, lightweight, Mac-native alternative to Docker Desktop for running Docker containers and Linux machines locally.
OrbStack provides a highly optimized local container environment specifically built for Apple Silicon and macOS. It uses dynamic resource allocation to consume significantly less battery and RAM than traditional virtual machines. It integrates deeply with the Mac file system and networking stack, providing near-native speed for containerized development workflows.
How it relates to Orbit
On a Mac running Orbit, OrbStack can provide the Docker engine behind a project’s saved dev-server command. See Project Window for details.
When you would use it
You use OrbStack when you are developing on a Mac and want a significantly faster, less resource-intensive way to run Docker containers than standard virtualized tools.
Common operations
- Replacing resource-heavy Docker Desktop on a developer MacBook.
- Running full Linux environments and Docker containers simultaneously with minimal battery drain.
Frequently asked questions
Is OrbStack a drop-in replacement for Docker Desktop?
For most local development, yes: it runs the same Docker containers and Compose files with the familiar docker commands.
Does OrbStack run on Windows or Linux?
No, OrbStack is macOS-only. On Windows, Docker Desktop or a Linux distribution under WSL fills the same role.
Does Orbit work with OrbStack?
Orbit runs whatever dev-server command you save for a project, so on a Mac an OrbStack-backed docker compose up works like any other command. See Configure Dev Servers.
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