Skip to main content

macOS

This page covers specific considerations when using DevSpaces on macOS.

Performance​

For optimal performance on macOS, we recommend using OrbStack instead of Docker Desktop. OrbStack is a fast and lightweight alternative that provides significantly better performance.

Why OrbStack?​

  • Faster file system I/O: OrbStack uses VirtioFS for file sharing, providing 2-10x faster I/O operations, reaching 75-95% of native macOS file system performance
  • Dynamic memory management: OrbStack automatically adjusts memory usage based on container needs, freeing unused memory for other applications
  • Lower resource consumption: Designed to be lightweight, OrbStack minimizes CPU and battery usage
  • Faster startup: Near-instant container startup times compared to Docker Desktop

Installation​

Install OrbStack using Homebrew:

brew install orbstack

Or download it from the official website.

Once installed, OrbStack replaces Docker Desktop and is compatible with existing Docker commands, making the transition seamless.

Docker Desktop Alternative​

If you prefer to use Docker Desktop:

  • Allocate sufficient resources in Docker Desktop settings (Settings → Resources)
  • Ensure you have enough memory and CPU allocated for your development containers
  • Consider increasing the disk image size if you work with large projects

File Permissions​

macOS handles file permissions differently from Linux. If you encounter permission issues:

  • Ensure your user has read/write permissions on project directories
  • Some operations may require elevated permissions depending on your system configuration

For general permission issues, see the Permissions page.

Last updated on