Podman - Lightweight containers using WSL
Podman
After spending time with Docker Desktop, I realized that while it’s feature-rich, it can feel heavy for developers who just want speed and simplicity. For my workflow, moving to PODMAN, an open-source, CLI-based tool on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and using it from the command line only, was a game-changer. It gave me:
Lightweight performance without the overhead of a full GUI.
Direct control through the command line, which feels faster and more transparent.
Flexibility to mix and match tools like Podman, Buildah, and Skopeo for building, running, and managing containers.
If you’re looking for a streamlined alternative to Docker Desktop combined with Linux on a Windows desktop then this environment setup is worth exploring. It’s open source, fast, and keeps you close to the Linux ecosystem—all without leaving Windows.
Installing PODMAN in WSL is simple
sudo apt install podman -y
Other Tools to Consider
Buildah: For building OCI-compliant container images without a daemon.
Skopeo: For copying and inspecting container images across registries without pulling them locally.
sudo apt install buildah skopeo -y
Benefits of This Setup
Open Source: No licensing headaches.
Closer to Linux: Great for developers targeting Linux-based deployments.
Fast and Lightweight: No heavy desktop app running in the background
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