Managing Docker compatibility

With Podman Desktop, you can configure a Docker-compatible environment using the Settings page. After configuration, your Docker tools are directed to use a Podman engine and your Compose applications can be run using the Podman CLI.

As a developer, you can:

• Check the system socket mapping status to know whether the socket is reachable. The default socket path is:

  • /var/run/docker.sock on macOS
  • npipe:////./pipe/docker_engine on Windows

• Use all Docker tools, including CLI, with the Podman engine without any reconfiguration. These tools connect to the default Podman socket, thereby enabling you to use all Docker commands with Podman. For example, you can run the docker run command on the Podman engine to start a container.

  • On macOS, the Third-Party Docker Tool Compatibility setting is enabled by default.
  • On Windows and Linux, the Third-Party Docker Tool Compatibility setting is not available. You can use the DOCKER_HOST environment variable to let your tools communicate directly with the Podman socket.

• Use the Podman CLI to run Compose applications by installing and setting up the Compose extension. For example, you can run the docker compose up command on the Podman engine to start your Compose v2 application. Also, ensure to place your Docker Compose file in a working directory, such as your home directory.

  • If the Compose CLI is not installed, you get the install option in the settings.

• Select and use a Docker-compatible socket context. You can also view the socket details, such as name and socket path.

Prerequisites

• A running Podman machine.

Windows

Procedure

1. Go to Settings > Docker Compatibility.
2. System socket status setting: View the socket mapping status to check whether the socket is reachable.
3. Docker CLI Context setting: Select a socket context to work with from the dropdown list.
4. Podman Compose CLI Support setting: Check whether the Podman Compose CLI is supported. If not, use the Setup... button to install and set up the CLI.

macOS

Procedure

1. Go to Settings > Docker Compatibility.
2. System socket status setting: View the socket mapping status to check whether the socket is reachable.
3. Docker CLI Context setting: Select a socket context to work with from the dropdown list.
4. Podman Compose CLI Support setting: Check whether the Podman Compose CLI is supported. If not, use the Setup... button to install and set up the CLI.
5. Third-Party Docker Tool Compatibility setting: Customize the setting, if needed. When enabled, you can use third-party Docker tools with Podman.

Verification

• Run podman or podman compose commands for your Compose applications to check if they run fine.