# Install socktainer with Homebrew Docker-compatible REST API on top of Apple container. Version 1.0.0 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-18. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:socktainer ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install socktainer ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:socktainer - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 1.0.0 - **Source summary:** Docker-compatible REST API on top of Apple container - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** Apache-2.0 - **Source archive:** - **Last updated:** 2026-06-18T21:20:33Z - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T07:18:31+00:00 ## Executables - socktainer (cli) - socktainer (alias) ## Dependencies - container ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Service: declared - Caveats: Socktainer exposes a Docker-compatible REST API. You can connect any tools you installed for Docker daemon. To connect it to your tools, add the following to ~/.bash_profile or ~/.zshrc: export DOCKER_HOST=unix://$HOMEBREW_PREFIX/var/run/socktainer/.socktainer/container.sock - Bottle: available on arm64_tahoe ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 1.0.0 - Package-manager updated: 2026-06-18 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://github.com/socktainer/socktainer - Upstream latest detected: v1.0.0 (current) ## Project history and usage socktainer is a young macOS command-line daemon that exposes a Docker-compatible REST API on top of Apple's containerization libraries, letting existing Docker clients talk to Apple Container through a local Unix socket. ### Project history The upstream README describes socktainer as both a CLI and daemon, still closely tied to the fast-moving Apple Container ecosystem. The project tracks partial Docker Engine API compatibility and documents Docker CLI and Docker Compose workflows rather than presenting itself as a full Docker replacement. The project's release history began with a v0.0.1 prerelease in September 2025 and reached v1.0.0 in June 2026, according to its official GitHub releases. That places it in the first wave of package-manager tools adapting Apple's newer local-container stack for developers who already have Docker-oriented muscle memory. ### Adoption history Adoption evidence is early but concrete: the README documents Homebrew installation, GitHub release binaries, and a former project tap that users can untap after moving to the Homebrew formula. The README also says the Podman Desktop Apple Container extension uses socktainer to visualize Apple containers and images, giving the tool a role beyond its own command line. ### How it is used Typical use is to start socktainer, switch Docker to the automatically created socktainer context, and then run familiar commands such as docker ps, docker images, docker run, and Docker Compose workflows against Apple's container backend. The daemon listens by default on $HOME/.socktainer/container.sock, supports common lifecycle, image, log, stats, health, and event operations, and exposes macOS-specific choices such as Apple Container VM memory mapping and volume sync modes. ### Why package nerds care socktainer matters to package-manager and CLI culture because it is a compatibility shim: a small package that lets a new platform-native runtime participate in the Docker-shaped tooling ecosystem. For Homebrew users, it is a good example of why formulae often package adapters rather than only upstream engines. The interesting artifact is not just the Swift daemon, but the way it bridges Docker contexts, Unix sockets, Compose expectations, Apple Silicon constraints, and rapidly changing vendor APIs. ### Timeline - 2025-09: v0.0.1 prerelease published on GitHub. - 2025-09: v0.1.0 and v0.2.0 followed as early public releases. - 2026-06: v1.0.0 published with Apple Container 1.0.0-related changes. ### Related projects - Apple Container: the macOS container backend socktainer wraps. - Docker Engine API and Docker CLI: the compatibility surface socktainer exposes to users. - Podman Desktop Apple Container extension: a desktop integration that the socktainer README says uses socktainer. - Colima and other local macOS container runtimes: neighboring tools in the macOS container developer workflow. ### Sources - - - source_facts.executables - source_facts.package-manager ## Security Notes No matching local secret-handling manifest was found for socktainer. Nucleus package metadata is still published here so future coverage has a stable package URL. ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** socktainer - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 0 - **Head Version:** HEAD - **Requirements:** arch, macos, xcode - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** head, stable ## Related links - [Cloud CLI packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/cloud-clis/) - Belongs to a cloud or infrastructure command family. - [Source-control packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/source-control-tools/) - Belongs to a source-control command family. - [Networking and protocol packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/networking-protocol-tools/) - Matched network, protocol, or remote-service metadata. - [container](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/container/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [apfel](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/apfel/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: api, apple, compatible. - [container-compose](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/container-compose/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: apple, container, docker. - [ctop](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/ctop/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: container, docker, top. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/socktainer.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/socktainer.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - package-page enrichment - curated package history - package version freshness - package relationship graph - cross-ecosystem install command graph