Apple, this year’s World Developers Conference, along with many innovations, quietly announced a new software infrastructure. MacOS 26 (Tahoe) This system developed to be integrated into the version, Linux containers Apple allows you to run directly on Silicon -based Macs. Published as open source and Swift This new tool, written in its language, is presented under the name of “Container .. Currently, similar functions can be provided with tools such as Docker, Podman or Orbstack, but Apple’s solution is based on a different architecture that works directly at the system level.
The new structure is designed to operate each container as a separate virtual machine. This structure is significantly separated from the method of running traditional multiple containers in a single Linux virtual machine. Apple for these virtual machines OpenINFRA Foundation developed by Kata Containers based on technology. Thus, it is aimed to use the system resources more efficiently and to provide a more strict integration with the operating system.
In the heart of the system, there is a special starter component called “Vminitd ,, written in Swift. This component regulates the management of processes, file system connections, and communication between the system and the container during the start of each container. Apple says that the system can start a container for times below seconds. Underneath this, an optimized Linux core configuration lies a simplified root file system.
Operating container on Apple Silicon Macs is now a local feature.
At least an Apple Silicon -based Mac for the use of the container frame, MacOS 15 or a system and Xcode 26 beta The version is required. This structure, Open Container Initiative (OCI) Since it is designed in accordance with its standards, it offers a flexibility that can adapt to widespread container workflows. In the current situation, such functions could be achieved by external tools; But Apple’s local solution is distinguished, especially when it is strictly integrated with its own equipment.
The start of a separate virtual machine for each container seems to be a disadvantage in terms of welding consumption, but the slight configuration of the system is designed to close this gap. Apple has opened the door to the contributions of the developer community by presenting this new approach as an open source. This software, which is shared under the Apache 2 license, will allow developers to adapt their workflows according to this new architecture.
From the inclusive, Apple’s step can be considered not only as a system feature, but also as an effort to diversify the developer tool set. Especially with the spread of Apple Silicon architecture, the importance of such local vehicles is increasing. While solutions such as Docker still remain available, this structure offered by Apple is a candidate to offer a different user experience by integrating into the operating system.