Emulating Docker CLI with Podman

Consider emulating Docker CLI with Podman to migrate transparently to Podman.

• Continue using familiar Docker commands.
• Take advantage of the benefits of Podman on macOS.
• Your tools, such as Maven or Testcontainers, communicate with Podman without reconfiguration.

Prerequisites

• Podman

Linux / macOS

Procedure

1. Create a /usr/local/bin/docker script:

   #!/bin/sh
   [ -e /etc/containers/nodocker ] || \
   echo "Emulate Docker CLI using podman. Create /etc/containers/nodocker to quiet msg." >&2
   exec podman "$@"

2. (Optional) Create an empty /etc/containers/nodocker file to avoid the Emulate Docker CLI using podman. message when running the script.

   # touch /etc/containers/nodocker

3. Make the script executable:

   # chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker

Verification

• Use the docker script to run commands. Example:

  $ docker run -it docker.io/hello-world

Windows

Procedure

1. Create a C:\Program Files\docker\bin\docker.bat script:

   @echo off
   echo Emulate Docker CLI using podman. <- remove this line to avoid the  `Emulate Docker CLI using podman.` message when running the script.
   podman %*

2. Add C:\Program Files\docker\bin to the SYSTEM/USER environment variable PATH

3. Close all cmd and powershell instances.

Verification

• Use the docker script to run commands. Example:

  $ docker run -it docker.io/hello-world