nerdctl
A command-line tool for containerd that works like the docker command, including Compose support.
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1 more ways to get nerdctl
Package managers
- Homebrew
brew install nerdctl
About nerdctl
nerdctl is a command-line interface for the containerd runtime that copies the commands and behavior of the docker CLI. You can run containers, build images with BuildKit and start multi-container setups from docker-compose.yaml files with nerdctl compose up.
Optional features include rootless mode, lazy-pulling of images with Stargz, Nydus or OverlayBD, encrypted images with ocicrypt, image signing and verification with cosign, and peer-to-peer image distribution over IPFS. It can also list and load images for a local Kubernetes node. It is a non-core subproject of containerd.
Strengths
- Same commands as docker, so existing habits carry over
- Runs Docker Compose files
- Rootless mode and encrypted or signed images
- Useful for inspecting containers on Kubernetes nodes
Limitations
- Requires containerd rather than working with an existing Docker daemon
- Many advanced features are optional extras that need separate setup
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source under the Apache 2.0 license.
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Developer
- The containerd contributors
- Platforms
- Linux, Command line
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Best suited for
- Linux users running containerd who want a docker-style command line
- Categories
- CLI tools, Container tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 2 sources on file.
Alternatives to nerdctl
Compare allSoftware that can replace nerdctl for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Docker Engine
The container runtime that builds, packages and runs applications in Docker containers.
Docker Engine is the standard container runtime with its own docker command line, so you run a Docker daemon instead of using containerd directly.
Podman
Daemonless container engine with a Docker-compatible command line.
Podman offers a Docker-compatible command line without a background daemon, runs rootless containers, and is available on Windows, macOS and Linux rather than Linux only.
Finch
An open-source command-line client for building and running containers on macOS and Windows.
Finch bundles nerdctl, containerd, BuildKit and Lima in one installer for macOS and Windows, but runs containers in a virtual machine and lacks some nerdctl commands.
Colima
Run container environments on macOS and Linux from the command line.
Colima runs container environments on macOS and Linux with multiple instances and automatic port forwarding, and its Docker runtime needs a separate Docker client.
nerdctl as an alternative
Listings that name nerdctl as an alternative.
Docker Compose
A command-line tool that defines and runs multi-container applications from a single YAML file.
nerdctl runs Docker Compose files on containerd with docker-style commands and rootless mode, but it requires containerd rather than an existing Docker daemon.
Podman Compose
A command-line tool that runs Docker Compose files using Podman instead of Docker.
nerdctl runs Docker Compose files on containerd with a docker-style command line and rootless mode, but requires containerd rather than Podman.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
CRI-O
A lightweight container runtime built specifically to run containers for Kubernetes.
Kata Containers
An open-source container runtime that runs each container inside a lightweight virtual machine for stronger isolation.
gVisor
An application kernel that sandboxes containers to isolate them from the host Linux kernel.
lazydocker
A terminal dashboard for Docker and Compose, so you stop typing ps, logs and restart over and over.
