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Introducing docker-wsl-bridge: A Lightweight Alternative to Docker Desktop for WSL Integration

ByMuhammad Imanudin Posted on

Docker Desktop has been a go-to solution for many Windows users aiming to run Docker containers. However, its resource-intensive nature can be a concern for those seeking a more streamlined setup. To address this, I’ve developed docker-wsl-bridge, a lightweight utility that facilitates seamless Docker command execution between Windows and the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

Why docker-wsl-bridge?

While Docker Desktop simplifies container management on Windows, it often consumes significant system resources, which can be overkill for users who prefer a minimalist environment. docker-wsl-bridge offers a solution by allowing users to execute Docker and Docker Compose commands directly from the Windows command line, utilizing the Docker engine running within a WSL distribution. This approach eliminates the need for Docker Desktop, resulting in a more efficient and lightweight development environment.

Key Features

  • Transparent Command Forwarding: Run Docker commands in Windows that are seamlessly forwarded to the Docker engine in WSL.
  • Support for Docker and Docker Compose: Manage both containers and multi-container applications effortlessly.
  • Configurable WSL Distribution: Specify your preferred WSL distribution through environment variables.
  • Efficient Resource Usage: Reduce overhead by eliminating the need for Docker Desktop.

Getting Started

To set up docker-wsl-bridge:

  1. Prerequisites:
  • Windows 10 or later
  • WSL installed with a preferred Linux distribution
  • Docker installed within the WSL distribution
  1. Installation:
  • Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/mhmmdmndn/docker-wsl-bridge.git cd docker-wsl-bridge
  • Build the executables:
go build -o docker.exe docker-wrapper.go go build -o docker-compose.exe docker-compose-wrapper.go
  • Place docker.exe and docker-compose.exe in a directory included in your system’s PATH.
  1. Configuration:

Set the WSL_DISTRO_NAME environment variable to specify the target WSL distribution:

set WSL_DISTRO_NAME "YourDistroName"

With this setup, you can execute Docker commands from the Windows command prompt or PowerShell, and they will be processed by the Docker engine running in your specified WSL distribution.

Conclusion

docker-wsl-bridge offers a streamlined and efficient alternative to Docker Desktop for Windows users leveraging WSL. By integrating Docker command execution between Windows and WSL without the overhead of Docker Desktop, it provides a lightweight solution tailored for developers seeking simplicity and performance.

For more details and to access the source code, visit the docker-wsl-bridge GitHub repository.