# Getting started

Install Kuvo Box, point the docker command at it, and run your first container.

Kuvo Box is a native macOS app that runs the real Docker Engine in a small Linux virtual machine. You keep using the `docker` command, Compose and your existing scripts. Kuvo Box gives them an engine to talk to and a window to see what's running.

It's free for personal and other noncommercial use, its source is [on GitHub](https://github.com/serhatandic/kuvo-box), and it has no account or sign-in. Commercial use needs a separate license; see the [license](https://github.com/serhatandic/kuvo-box/blob/main/LICENSE).

## Your first container

1. [Download Kuvo.dmg](https://github.com/serhatandic/kuvo-box/releases/latest/download/Kuvo.dmg), open it, and drag Kuvo Box onto the Applications folder.
2. Open it. The first launch sets up the Linux VM, which takes a minute or so. After that, Kuvo Box is ready about three seconds after you open it.
3. When Kuvo Box asks **Use Kuvo Box for the docker command?**, choose **Use Kuvo Box**. It makes Kuvo Box the default for every terminal, and it stays that way after a restart. If you chose **Not Now**, use the **Use Kuvo Box for docker** button in Kuvo Box's window, or run:

   ```sh
   docker context create kuvo --docker host=unix://$HOME/.kuvo/docker.sock
   docker context use kuvo
   ```

4. Run something:

   ```sh
   docker run -d -p 8080:80 nginx:alpine
   ```

5. Open [localhost:8080](http://localhost:8080). The container also shows up in Kuvo Box's sidebar with its live resources and logs.


## What you need

- A Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later).
- macOS 15 Sequoia or later.
- An internet connection the first time you open Kuvo Box, to download Alpine Linux and Docker.
- The `docker` command. If you don't have it, see [The docker command](/box/docs/installation/#the-docker-command).

## Find the right guide

| I want to… | Start here |
| --- | --- |
| Use Docker and Compose with Kuvo Box | [Docker and Compose](/box/docs/docker/) |
| Learn my way around the window | [The app](/box/docs/app/) |
| Run commands in containers from scripts | [CLI reference](/box/docs/cli/) |
| Give a coding agent somewhere safe to work | [Coding agents](/box/docs/agents/) |
| Understand what's running on my Mac | [How it works](/box/docs/architecture/) |
| Fix something that isn't working | [Troubleshooting](/box/docs/troubleshooting/) |

## Coming from Docker Desktop

You don't need to uninstall Docker Desktop to try Kuvo Box. They use separate VMs and separate sockets, so images and containers aren't shared: anything you pulled in Docker Desktop needs pulling again in Kuvo Box.

Run only one of them at a time if you publish ports. Both forward container ports to `localhost`, and only one can listen on a given port.

Opening Docker Desktop switches the docker command back to it. Run `docker context use kuvo` to return to Kuvo Box.