Colima

Developer ToolsmacOSLinux

Container runtimes on macOS and Linux with minimal setup, built on Lima.

Latest v0.10.3 · · macOS · Linuxby Abiola IbrahimWebsiteabiosoft/colima

Release activity

Release activity — 6 releases across 6 days in the last year. Each cell is one day; darker means more releases that day. Older weeks are hidden at this screen width.
MayJunJulAug
SundayNo releases on Apr 26, 2026No releases on May 3, 2026No releases on May 10, 2026No releases on May 17, 2026No releases on May 24, 2026No releases on May 31, 2026No releases on Jun 7, 2026No releases on Jun 14, 2026No releases on Jun 21, 2026No releases on Jun 28, 2026No releases on Jul 5, 2026No releases on Jul 12, 2026No releases on Jul 19, 2026No releases on Jul 26, 2026No releases on Aug 2, 2026No releases on Aug 9, 2026
MondayNo releases on Apr 27, 2026No releases on May 4, 2026No releases on May 11, 2026No releases on May 18, 2026No releases on May 25, 2026No releases on Jun 1, 2026No releases on Jun 8, 2026No releases on Jun 15, 2026No releases on Jun 22, 2026No releases on Jun 29, 2026No releases on Jul 6, 2026No releases on Jul 13, 2026No releases on Jul 20, 2026No releases on Jul 27, 2026No releases on Aug 3, 2026No releases on Aug 10, 2026
TuesdayNo releases on Apr 28, 2026No releases on May 5, 2026No releases on May 12, 2026No releases on May 19, 2026No releases on May 26, 2026No releases on Jun 2, 2026No releases on Jun 9, 2026No releases on Jun 16, 2026No releases on Jun 23, 2026No releases on Jun 30, 2026No releases on Jul 7, 2026No releases on Jul 14, 2026No releases on Jul 21, 2026No releases on Jul 28, 2026No releases on Aug 4, 2026
WednesdayNo releases on Apr 29, 2026No releases on May 6, 2026No releases on May 13, 2026No releases on May 20, 2026No releases on May 27, 20261 release on Jun 3, 2026No releases on Jun 10, 2026No releases on Jun 17, 2026No releases on Jun 24, 2026No releases on Jul 1, 2026No releases on Jul 8, 2026No releases on Jul 15, 2026No releases on Jul 22, 2026No releases on Jul 29, 2026No releases on Aug 5, 2026
ThursdayNo releases on Apr 30, 2026No releases on May 7, 2026No releases on May 14, 2026No releases on May 21, 2026No releases on May 28, 20261 release on Jun 4, 2026No releases on Jun 11, 2026No releases on Jun 18, 2026No releases on Jun 25, 2026No releases on Jul 2, 2026No releases on Jul 9, 2026No releases on Jul 16, 2026No releases on Jul 23, 2026No releases on Jul 30, 2026No releases on Aug 6, 2026
FridayNo releases on May 1, 2026No releases on May 8, 2026No releases on May 15, 2026No releases on May 22, 2026No releases on May 29, 2026No releases on Jun 5, 2026No releases on Jun 12, 2026No releases on Jun 19, 2026No releases on Jun 26, 2026No releases on Jul 3, 2026No releases on Jul 10, 2026No releases on Jul 17, 2026No releases on Jul 24, 2026No releases on Jul 31, 2026No releases on Aug 7, 2026
SaturdayNo releases on May 2, 2026No releases on May 9, 2026No releases on May 16, 2026No releases on May 23, 2026No releases on May 30, 2026No releases on Jun 6, 2026No releases on Jun 13, 2026No releases on Jun 20, 2026No releases on Jun 27, 2026No releases on Jul 4, 2026No releases on Jul 11, 2026No releases on Jul 18, 2026No releases on Jul 25, 2026No releases on Aug 1, 2026No releases on Aug 8, 2026

6 releases in the last year

Changelog

v0.10.2

Added 6
  • New --downloader flag to retain curl for downloads, supporting curl or native (default)
  • Support for user-provided containerd and buildkit config for the Containerd runtime
  • Nested virtualization is now supported with krunkit vm type
  • Cache directory can now be customized with the COLIMA_CACHE_HOME environment variable
  • Network address is now supported for the krunkit vm type
  • Custom generated disk images can now be used by setting the --force-disk-image flag in addition to --disk-image flag
Changed 6
  • Force stop with colima stop --force no longer attempts to stop the container runtime before stopping VM
  • Soft delete (colima delete without --force) is now properly supported on Incus runtime, and container data would be auto-restored on recreation
  • Runtime is now displayed in colima list for stopped instances
  • Docker version updated to v29.5.2
  • Nerdctl version updated to v2.3.1
  • Incus version updated to v7.1
Highlights

This is an incremental stability release with bug fixes and features.

Updates
  • New --downloader flag to retain curl for downloads. Supports curl or native (default).
  • Force stop with colima stop --force no longer attempts to stop the container runtime before stopping VM.
  • Support for user-provided containerd and buildkit config for the Containerd runtime.
  • Nested virtualization is now supported with krunkit vm type.
  • Soft delete (i.e. colima delete without --force) is now properly supported on Incus runtime, and container data would be auto-restored on recreation.
  • Cache directory can now be customized with the COLIMA_CACHE_HOME environment variable. The cache directory stores the downloaded assets used by Colima.
  • Network address is now supported for the krunkit vm type.
  • Runtime is now displayed in colima list for stopped instances.
  • Custom generated disk images can now be used by setting the --force-disk-image flag in addition to --disk-image flag. The image must be a debian based distro with systemd. Note that this is for power users and not officially supported.
Runtime version bumps

NOTE: container runtime versions can be updated manually by running the colima update command.

  • Docker version updated to v29.5.2
  • Nerdctl version updated to v2.3.1
  • Incus version updated to v7.1
Commits
New Contributors

Full Changelog: https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/compare/v0.10.1...v0.10.2

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How v0.10.2 went

v0.10.1

Added 1
  • Support for Docker Model Runner as an AI model runner backend
Changed 3
  • Docker Model Runner is now the default AI model runner backend
  • The DOCKER_CONFIG environment variable is now respected
  • AI model runners refactored for improved functionality
Fixed 1
  • Model serving now chooses alternate available ports for API and webui when default ports are in use
Highlights

This is an incremental release with support for Docker Model Runner and improvements to the AI functionality introduced in v0.10.0.

Docker Model Runner

Colima now supports Docker Model Runner as an AI model runner backend. Docker Model Runner is now the default due to its simpler requirements. However, Ramalama can still be used.

# run a model (uses docker runner by default)
colima model run gemma3

# serve a model, chat interface available at localhost:8080
colima model serve gemma3

# explicitly specify the runner
colima model run gemma3 --runner docker
colima model run gemma3 --runner ramalama

# set the runner at start time
colima start --model-runner ramalama

The runner can be configured via:

  • --runner flag on colima model commands
  • --model-runner flag at colima start
  • modelRunner in the configuration file
Other Updates
  • The DOCKER_CONFIG environment variable is now respected.
Commits
New Contributors

Full Changelog: https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/compare/v0.10.0...v0.10.1

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How v0.10.1 went

v0.10.0

Added 7
  • AI support for running confined, isolated and secure gpu-powered AI workloads on Apple Silicon devices using Krunkit and Ramalama
  • Krunkit virtual machine type with gpu support via colima start --vm-type krunkit
  • colima model command to run and serve AI models
  • Network address option to make Incus instances reachable directly from the host via colima start --network-address
  • Option to disable port forwarding by passing --port-forwarder=none to colima start
  • Option to disable volume mounts by passing --mount=none to colima start
  • After-boot and ready provision modes for provision scripts
Changed 6
  • Containerd runtime now inherits CONTAINERD_* and NERDCTL_* environment variables from the host
  • Download mechanism reworked in native Go, eliminating dependency on curl and shasum on the host
  • Docker version updated to v29.2.0
  • Nerdctl version updated to v2.2.1
  • Incus version updated to v6.21
  • K3s version defaults to v1.35.0+k3s1
Highlights

This release introduces AI support and other updates.

AI is here

Colima now has AI support.

By leveraging Krunkit and Ramalama, Colima is able to provide the ideal platform to run confined, isolated and secure gpu-powered AI workloads on Apple Silicon devices.

# run a model
colima model run gemma3

# serve a model, chat interface would be availabe at localhost:8080
colima model serve gemma3

# for more
colima model --help
Other Updates
  • Addition of krunkit virtual machine type with gpu support. colima start --vm-type krunkit.
  • Incus instances are now reachable directly from the host if network address is enabled. colima start --network-address.
  • Containerd runtime (with nerdctl command) now inherits CONTAINERD_* and NERDCTL_* environment variables on the host.
  • Port forwarding can now be disabled by passing --port-forwarder=none to colima start.
  • Volume mounts can now be disabled by passing --mount=none to colima start.
  • Download mechanism has been reworked in native Go, eliminating dependency on curl and shasum on the host.
  • New after-boot and ready provision modes for provision scripts.
Runtime version bumps

NOTE: container runtime versions can be updated manually by running the colima update command.

  • Docker version updated to v29.2.0
  • Nerdctl version updated to v2.2.1
  • Incus version updated to v6.21
  • K3s version defaults to v1.35.0+k3s1.
Commits
New Contributors

Full Changelog: https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/compare/v0.9.1...v0.10.0

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How v0.10.0 went

v0.9.1

Added 1
  • make k3s listen port customizable
Fixed 1
  • fix root disk size getting set to zero
Highlights

This is a hotfix release to address disk error issues for a subset of users.

Check v0.9.0 release notes for the main release notes.

Commits

Full Changelog: https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/compare/v0.9.0...v0.9.1

View originalPermalink
How v0.9.1 went

v0.9.0

Added 5
  • Add --network-mode flag to support bridged and shared networking modes, with shared as the default
  • Add persistent disk feature for container data that survives instance deletion for Docker, Containerd, and Incus runtimes
  • Add --data flag to colima delete command to delete both instance and container data
  • Add --port-forwarder flag to make port forwarder configurable between ssh and grpc, defaulting to ssh
  • Add --network-preferred-route flag to use the network address interface as the default route when network address is enabled
Changed 4
  • Update Docker version to v28.4.0
  • Update Nerdctl version to v2.1.4
  • Update Incus version to v6.16
  • Update K3s version default to v1.33.4+k3s1
Fixed 4
  • Reinstate previous template loading behavior where Colima loads config from template file if present, with ability to disable via --template=false
  • Improve DNS resolution for host.docker.internal to work correctly in Docker, Containerd, and Kubernetes containers
  • Fix 386 architecture emulation when Rosetta is enabled
  • Sync default storage pool size for Incus runtime on startup to align with available disk space on the virtual machine
Removed 1
  • Remove /tmp/colima as a default mount due to issues when Colima is run by multiple users on macOS
Highlights

This is a new release with several fixes and new features.

New Features
Bridged network

This has been a long requested feature and it is finally here. A new --network-mode flag has been introduced. Valid options are shared and bridged with the default being shared.

colima start --network-address --network-mode bridged

⚠️ Bridged should only be used if required and the local network is compatible. Shared networking is still the recommended option and remains the default.

Persistent Disk

This applies only to newly created instances.

Colima now uses a separate virtual machine disk for container data as a means to guard against accidental loss of data. A deleted instance would not delete the container data disk, and a subsequent colima start would attempt to reinstate the data.

Supported for Docker, Containerd and Incus runtimes. Kubernetes however is not yet support.

To delete all data, the --data flag should be passed to colima delete.

colima delete --data # delete instance and container data

⚠️ While it works reliably, there are no guarantees against loss of data. It should be used as a disaster recovery mechanism.

Fixes
  • The previous behaviour with templates has been reinstated. i.e. Colima would load config from template file if present. It can still be disabled by passing --template=false to colima start.
  • DNS resolution for host.docker.internal has been improved and now works fine in Docker, Containerd and Kubernetes containers.
  • /tmp/colima has been removed as a default mount due to issues caused when Colima is being run by multiple users on macOS.
  • Port forwarder is now configurable between ssh and grpc with the --port-forwarder flag. Defaults to ssh.
  • Fix for 386 architecture emulation when Rosetta is enabled.
  • Introduction of --network-preferred-route flag to use the network address interface as the default route when network address is enabled. This resolves networking issue for some users.
  • The size of the default storage pool for Incus runtime is now synced on startup to align with the available disk space on the virtual machine.
Runtime version bumps

NOTE: container runtime versions can be updated manually by running the colima update command.

  • Docker version updated to v28.4.0
  • Nerdctl version updated to v2.1.4
  • Incus version updated to v6.16
  • K3s version defaults to v1.33.4+k3s1
Commits
New Contributors

Full Changelog: https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/compare/v0.8.4...v0.9.0

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How v0.9.0 went

v0.8.4

Added 1
  • Cross-architecture container execution can now be disabled by setting --binfmt=false flag
Changed 1
  • Disable implicit loading of config from template and require the --template flag
Fixed 2
  • Fix exec format error when running cross-architecture images
  • Fix binfmt not enabled after restart
Highlights

This is another hotfix release to address a regression that causes exec /bin/sh: exec format error when running a cross-architecture image. The issue is finally resolved.

Other Updates
  • Disable implicit loading of config from template (when present). Now requires the --template flag.
  • Cross-architecture container execution can now be disabled by setting --binfmt=false flag.
Commits

Full Changelog: https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/compare/v0.8.3...v0.8.4

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How v0.8.4 went

v0.8.3

Added 3
  • Mount containerd socket for Docker and Containerd runtimes
  • Mount buildkitd socket for Containerd runtime
  • Allow overriding default k3s flags with --k3s-arg flag
Changed 3
  • Set default volume mount type to virtiofs when VZ is in use
  • Use containerd image store for Docker
  • Add mounted socket path(s) to the output of colima status for all container runtimes
Fixed 1
  • Fix exec format error when running a cross-architecture image
Highlights

This is an hotfix release to address a regression that causes exec /bin/sh: exec format error when running a cross-architecture image.

Fixes
  • Fix exec format error when running a cross-architecture image. Requires recreating instance if created with v0.8.2. Fixes #1367.
  • Set default volume mount type to virtiofs when VZ is in use.
Other Updates
  • Use containerd image store for Docker
  • Mount containerd socket for Docker and Containerd runtimes
  • Mount buildkitd socket for Containerd runtime.
  • Add mounted socket path(s) to the output of colima status for all container runtimes.
  • Allow overriding default k3s flags with --k3s-arg flag.
Commits
New Contributors

Full Changelog: https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/compare/v0.8.2...v0.8.3

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How v0.8.3 went

v0.8.2

Added 3
  • UDP port forwarding is now supported
  • Binfmt emulation is configurable via the --binfmt flag and binfmt config
  • Current profile can now be set with COLIMA_PROFILE environment variable
Changed 4
  • Docker version updated to v28.3.3
  • Nerdctl version updated to v2.1.3
  • Incus version updated to v6.14
  • K3s version defaults to v1.33.3+k3s1
Fixed 4
  • Report errors that occur while reading configuration file
  • Use native shasum binary for download assets verification
  • Fix download errors when K3s version is empty in config
  • Reset formatting after question prompts in the terminal
Deprecated 1
  • Rename --cpu flag to --cpus for colima start; --cpu still works but is deprecated
Highlights

This is an incremental release with bug fixes.

Fixes
  • Report errors that occur while reading configuration file. Fixes #1239.
  • Use native shasum binary for download assets verification. Fixes #1163.
  • Fix download errors when K3s version when empty in config.
  • Reset formatting after questions prompts in the terminal. Fixes #1319.
Other Updates
  • UDP port forwarding is now supported. Resolves #1292, #1300.
  • Binfmt emulation is configurable via the --binfmt flag and binfmt config. Defaults to true when Rosetta is disabled.
  • Rename --cpu flag to --cpus for colima start, to align with Lima. --cpu still works but deprecated.
  • Current profile can now be set with COLIMA_PROFILE environment variable. Resolves #1308.
Runtime version bumps

NOTE: container runtime versions can be updated manually by running the colima update command.

  • Docker version updated to v28.3.3
  • Nerdctl version updated to v2.1.3
  • Incus version updated to v6.14
  • K3s version defaults to v1.33.3+k3s1
Commits
New Contributors

Full Changelog: https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/compare/v0.8.1...v0.8.2

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How v0.8.2 went

v0.8.1

Added 3
  • Disk image can now be downloaded locally and specified with the --disk-image flag for colima start
  • Add --json flag to status command
  • Ability to specify memory in decimal GiB
Changed 4
  • VZ is now the default virtual machine type on macOS 13 or newer
  • Docker version updated to 27.4.0
  • Nerdctl version updated to 2.0.2
  • Incus version updated to 6.8
Fixed 2
  • Cleanup of network assets directory on startup
  • Use of primary network adapter as default route when external network address is enabled
Highlights

This is an incremental release with bug fixes.

Fixes
  • Cleanup of network assets directory on startup. Fixes #1210, #1029, #1212, #1116.
  • Use of primary network adapter as default route when external network address is enabled. Fixes #1214.
Other Updates
  • VZ is now the default virtual machine type on macOS 13 or newer. Qemu can still be used if specified.
  • Disk image can now be downloaded locally and specified with the --disk-image flag for colima start.
Runtime version bumps

Runtime version can be updated running the colima update command.

  • Docker version updated to 27.4.0
  • Nerdctl version updated to 2.0.2
  • Incus version updated to 6.8
Commits
New Contributors

Full Changelog: https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/compare/v0.8.0...v0.8.1

View originalPermalink
How v0.8.1 went

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