---
title: "Install Docker CLI on Mac with Colima — Fast Guide 2026"
slug: "install-docker-cli-on-mac-with-colima"
published: "2026-01-05"
updated: "2026-03-28"
categories:
  - "Docker"
tags:
  - "Docker CLI on Mac"
  - "Colima"
  - "Docker Desktop alternative"
  - "install docker cli mac"
  - "docker-compose"
  - "docker-buildx"
  - "docker-credential-osxkeychain"
  - "Homebrew"
  - "CLI-only Docker workflow"
  - "clean docker disk"
llm-intent: "how-to"
audience-level: "intermediate"
llm-purpose: "Docker CLI on Mac: Install Docker CLI with Colima to replace Docker Desktop, fix osxkeychain issues, run docker-compose, and streamline CLI…"
llm-prereqs:
  - "Colima"
  - "Docker CLI"
  - "docker-compose"
  - "docker-buildx"
  - "Homebrew"
  - "macOS"
  - "osxkeychain"
---

**Summary Triples**
- (Install Docker CLI on Mac with Colima — Fast Guide 2026, expresses-intent, how-to)
- (Install Docker CLI on Mac with Colima — Fast Guide 2026, covers-topic, Docker CLI on Mac)
- (Install Docker CLI on Mac with Colima — Fast Guide 2026, provides-guidance-for, Docker CLI on Mac: Install Docker CLI with Colima to replace Docker Desktop, fix osxkeychain issues, run docker-compose, and streamline CLI…)

### {GOAL}
Docker CLI on Mac: Install Docker CLI with Colima to replace Docker Desktop, fix osxkeychain issues, run docker-compose, and streamline CLI…

### {PREREQS}
- Colima
- Docker CLI
- docker-compose
- docker-buildx
- Homebrew
- macOS
- osxkeychain

### {STEPS}
1. Remove broken Docker Desktop remnants
2. Install Homebrew (if missing)
3. Install Colima via Homebrew
4. Install Docker CLI, Compose, Buildx
5. Start Colima to run Docker daemon
6. Fix macOS credential helper issues
7. Run Compose projects and cleanup

<!-- llm:goal="Docker CLI on Mac: Install Docker CLI with Colima to replace Docker Desktop, fix osxkeychain issues, run docker-compose, and streamline CLI…" -->
<!-- llm:prereq="Colima" -->
<!-- llm:prereq="Docker CLI" -->
<!-- llm:prereq="docker-compose" -->
<!-- llm:prereq="docker-buildx" -->
<!-- llm:prereq="Homebrew" -->
<!-- llm:prereq="macOS" -->
<!-- llm:prereq="osxkeychain" -->

# Install Docker CLI on Mac with Colima — Fast Guide 2026
> Docker CLI on Mac: Install Docker CLI with Colima to replace Docker Desktop, fix osxkeychain issues, run docker-compose, and streamline CLI…
Matija Žiberna · 2026-01-05

## **1. Why Docker Desktop Often Fails or Is Unsuitable**

Docker Desktop on macOS is a GUI application that bundles:

* Docker daemon
* Docker CLI
* Docker Compose
* Credential helpers
* GUI system tray and settings

**Issues we encountered:**

* Homebrew installation repeatedly failed because of a conflicting binary (`/usr/local/bin/hub-tool`) pointing to a missing `/Applications/Docker.app`.
* Docker Desktop requires a large macOS GUI app that some developers may not want.
* GUI apps consume more system resources and don’t integrate well in a pure CLI workflow.
* CLI-only workflows with Docker Desktop require workarounds for credential helpers and build tools.

**Conclusion:** For pure command-line workflows, a lightweight Linux VM running Docker/Containerd is better.

---

## **2. Use Colima for a CLI-Only Docker Environment**

[Colima](https://github.com/abiosoft/colima) creates a lightweight Linux VM on macOS and runs a Docker-compatible runtime inside. It fully supports the Docker CLI and Compose.

**Benefits:**

* CLI-only, no GUI
* Small disk and memory footprint
* Fully compatible with `docker` and `docker-compose`
* Works with Apple Silicon and Intel Macs

---

## **3. Install Required Tools**

### **Step 1: Install Homebrew (if not installed)**

```bash
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
```

---

### **Step 2: Install Colima**

```bash
brew install colima
```

---

### **Step 3: Install Docker CLI and Compose**

```bash
brew install docker docker-compose docker-buildx
```

* `docker` → CLI
* `docker-compose` → standalone Compose
* `docker-buildx` → build plugin for advanced builds

> **Note:** Do **not** try to install Docker Desktop via Homebrew cask — it will fail if previous binaries exist or `/Applications/Docker.app` is missing.

---

### **Step 4: Start Colima**

```bash
colima start
```

* Colima creates a Linux VM and runs a Docker daemon inside.
* After starting, you can use Docker CLI commands normally.

---

## **4. Handling Credential Helper Issues**

In CLI-only mode, the macOS credential helper (`docker-credential-osxkeychain`) is not available. To fix:

1. Edit Docker config:

```bash
nano ~/.docker/config.json
```

2. Remove or comment out:

```json
"credsStore": "osxkeychain"
```

3. Save the file. Docker CLI will now pull/push images without the credential helper.

---

## **5. Running Docker Compose Projects**

Assuming you have a Compose file (e.g., `compose.dev.yml`) in your project:

```bash
docker-compose -f compose.dev.yml up -d
```

* `-f compose.dev.yml` points to your Compose file
* `up -d` runs containers in detached mode

Check running containers:

```bash
docker-compose ps
```

Follow logs:

```bash
docker-compose logs -f
```

Stop containers:

```bash
docker-compose down
```

---

### **Tip:** Alias for convenience

To unify commands with the modern CLI:

```bash
alias docker-compose='docker compose'
```

Then you can run your usual `docker-compose` commands and they will invoke the CLI-compatible version automatically.

---

## **6. Cleaning Up Disk Space**

Stopped containers, old images, volumes, and build cache can fill your disk. Recommended commands:

* Remove stopped containers:

```bash
docker container prune -f
```

* Remove unused images:

```bash
docker image prune -a -f
```

* Remove volumes:

```bash
docker volume prune -f
```

* Remove build cache:

```bash
docker builder prune -a -f
```

* One-shot cleanup:

```bash
docker system prune -a --volumes -f
```

---

## **7. Summary of Steps**

1. Remove broken Docker Desktop remnants.
2. Install Colima via Homebrew.
3. Install Docker CLI, Compose, and Buildx.
4. Start Colima (`colima start`) to create a Linux VM with Docker daemon.
5. Fix `docker-credential-osxkeychain` issue by editing `~/.docker/config.json`.
6. Use `docker-compose -f compose.dev.yml up -d` to run projects.
7. Clean up old containers, images, volumes, and build cache as needed.

---

### **8. Why This Setup Is Better**

* Works entirely in the terminal.
* Lightweight and faster than Docker Desktop.
* No GUI app conflicts.
* Fully supports Docker CLI, Compose, Buildx, and Colima VM networking.
* Easier to automate for scripts, CI/CD, and development workflows.