# Docker Desktop Docker Desktop is the official GUI application from Docker, Inc. for managing [[Docker]] containers, images, volumes, and networks on desktop operating systems (Windows, [[Linux]], macOS). It bundles the Docker Engine, Docker CLI, [[Docker Compose]], [[containerd]], and a graphical dashboard into a single installer. For Windows and macOS, it runs a lightweight [[Linux]] VM behind the scenes to host the Docker daemon, making container development seamless on non-Linux platforms. Beyond basic container management, Docker Desktop has evolved into a full developer platform with integrated features for building, testing, debugging, and deploying containerized applications. ## Key Features - **Container management**: Pull, run, stop, inspect, and delete containers and images through a visual interface or the bundled CLI - **[[Docker Compose]]**: Built-in support for multi-container applications; visualize and manage Compose stacks in the GUI - **[[Docker Model Runner]]**: Download and run AI/ML models locally using familiar Docker commands (`docker model run`); serves models via an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint - **[[Docker MCP Catalog]]**: Browse and run [[Model Context Protocol (MCP)]] servers as containers, connecting AI tools to local and remote services - **Docker Scout**: Security and supply chain analysis; scans images for vulnerabilities, license issues, and outdated dependencies - **Docker Build Cloud**: Offload image builds to cloud infrastructure for faster, multi-architecture builds - **Extensions marketplace**: Third-party extensions that add functionality directly into the Docker Desktop dashboard (log viewers, database managers, Kubernetes tools, etc.) - **Kubernetes**: Built-in single-node Kubernetes cluster for local development and testing - **Volume management**: Browse and inspect volume contents through the GUI - **Resource controls**: Configure CPU, memory, disk, and network limits for the Docker VM - **Dev Environments**: Share reproducible development setups with teammates using a single config file ## Licensing Docker Desktop is free for personal use, education, and small businesses (fewer than 250 employees and less than $10M annual revenue). Larger organizations require a paid subscription (Pro, Team, or Business). ## References - https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/ - https://docs.docker.com/desktop/ ## Related - [[Docker]] - [[Docker Compose]] - [[Docker Model Runner]] - [[Docker MCP Catalog]] - [[containerd]] - [[Kubernetes]] - [[Containerization]] - [[DevOps]] - [[LazyDocker]] - [[Podman]] - [[Self-hosting]]