Davit, a new native macOS application, enables users to run Linux containers on Apple silicon without requiring Docker Desktop. Released for macOS 15 and later, the app is free, open source, and MIT licensed. It offers a fully native interface for Apple’s container platform, providing container management directly on Apple silicon Macs, according to davit.app.
The app communicates directly with Apple's open-source container daemon over XPC, the same method used by the command-line interface, eliminating the need for Electron, web views, or background agents. Users can start, stop, restart, and delete containers while monitoring live CPU, memory, and IP addresses. Additional features include streaming logs, live statistics charts, raw configuration inspection, and one-click terminal access through Terminal or iTerm, all without requiring command-line usage.
Davit’s approach addresses the need for lightweight, native container management on Apple silicon, a growing segment as developers increasingly use Macs for containerized development. By avoiding Electron and web-based interfaces, Davit offers improved performance and integration compared to other container UIs. Its open-source nature and MIT license encourage community contributions and transparency, positioning it as a practical alternative for macOS users managing Apple containers.
The latest version of Davit is available for download on GitHub and can be installed via Homebrew using the command `brew install wouterdebie/tap/davit`. It requires an Apple silicon Mac running macOS 15 or later, making it accessible to developers using the newest Apple hardware and software.