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nerdctl

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description nerdctl Overview

nerdctl is an open-source command-line interface tool designed to manage containers running on containerd. It aims to provide a Docker-compatible user experience, allowing developers to build, run, and manage container images using familiar commands and Docker Compose files. The tool was developed to serve environments where the full Docker daemon is not available, such as Kubernetes nodes. It is primarily used by software developers and system administrators who work with containerd-based infrastructure and require localized container testing.

help nerdctl FAQ

Does nerdctl work with Docker Engine?

nerdctl talks directly to containerd rather than to the Docker Engine daemon. Its commands deliberately resemble Docker CLI commands, but it is most useful on systems where containerd is already the runtime.

Can nerdctl run Docker Compose files?

Yes. The project includes a nerdctl compose command that supports many familiar Compose workflows against containerd. Compatibility is broad but not identical to every feature and edge case in Docker Compose.

Why do Kubernetes containers appear in nerdctl only with the k8s.io namespace?

containerd separates resources into namespaces, and Kubernetes places its managed containers and images in k8s.io. Running nerdctl with the k8s.io namespace exposes that runtime view, although Kubernetes objects are still better managed with kubectl.

What does nerdctl provide that ctr does not?

ctr is a low-level containerd debugging client, while nerdctl offers a Docker-compatible user experience with build, run, pull, push, network, volume, and Compose commands. nerdctl also supports features such as rootless containers and BuildKit-based image builds.

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