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Docksal

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What Docksal is

Docksal is a free, self-hosted web development environment that uses Docker and Docker Compose to create separate containerized projects. Each project can use different stack requirements and service versions while remaining independently managed. The documentation describes starting a zero-configuration AMP stack with two commands, and the included fin command-line tool manages Docksal components. Stacks include Composer, PHP Code Sniffer, PHP CLI, Node, npm, Ruby, Bundler, Python, Drush, Drupal Console, and WP-CLI. Built-in services include Apache Solr, Varnish, Memcache, Selenium, and Behat, while other services can run as Docker containers. Custom commands support any interpreter for builds, theme packaging, and deployments to development, staging, or CI servers. Docksal documents ngrok sharing, CMS boilerplates for Drupal, WordPress, Laravel, Magento, Grav, Gatsby, Hugo, and JAM, plus tools such as Acquia BLT, Pantheon Terminus, Platform.sh, and Cloudflare Tunnel. It runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows, with documentation specifying at least 8 GB of RAM.

Who it suits

Docksal suits web developers working with Docker-based CMS and framework projects, especially Drupal, WordPress, Laravel, and related stacks. It is useful when projects need separate environments and repeatable command-line workflows.

What it does well

  • Free development environment
  • Separates projects and stack versions
  • Includes broad PHP and JavaScript tooling
  • Supports additional Docker services
  • Offers CMS boilerplates

What to know first

  • Requires 8 GB or more RAM
  • Installer needs administrative privileges
  • Windows requires Windows 10 and hardware virtualization
  • SSH proxy can expose keys to local users

Limits

The installation documentation requires 8 GB or more of RAM. Windows requires Windows 10 and hardware virtualization, while Linux requires an SSE4.2-capable CPU.

Getting started

  1. Install Docksal on macOS, Linux or Windows
  2. Provide administrative privileges for fin, networking and system changes
  3. Ensure the machine meets the 8 GB RAM requirement
  4. Use Docker Desktop or VirtualBox where the installation path requires it
  5. Run the `fin` command-line tool to manage components
  6. Start a project stack or the zero-configuration AMP stack

Verdict

Docksal organizes isolated Docker development environments across major desktop operating systems. Its bundled tooling, boilerplates, and service support cover many CMS and framework workflows, but setup requirements and permissions should be reviewed first.

Questions

Is Docksal free?

Yes. Docksal is listed with a free pricing model and free plan.

Which operating systems are supported?

Docksal supports macOS, Linux and Windows, including self-hosted use.

What does Docksal use to create environments?

It uses Docker and Docker Compose to create containerized project environments.

What tools are included in project stacks?

Stacks include Composer, PHP Code Sniffer, PHP CLI, Node, npm, Ruby, Bundler, Python, Drush, Drupal Console and WP-CLI.

What hardware does installation require?

The current documentation specifies at least 8 GB of RAM. Windows also requires Windows 10 and hardware virtualization; Linux requires an SSE4.2-capable CPU.

Facts from Docksal's own pages

Audience
The product is presented as a web development environment, with starter stacks and tools for developers working with CMSs and frameworks such as Drupal, WordPress, and Laravel. · docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Automation
Custom commands can use any interpreter, and the product site describes automating builds, theme packaging, and deployments to development, staging, or CI servers. · docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Built-in tools
Project stacks include tools such as Composer, PHP Code Sniffer, PHP CLI, Node, npm, Ruby, Bundler, and Python; PHP, Drupal, and WordPress development also gets Drush, Drupal Console, and WP-CLI. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
CLI
Its command line tool, fin, manages Docksal components. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
CMS boilerplates
The product site lists boilerplates for Drupal, WordPress, Laravel, Magento, Grav, Gatsby, Hugo, and JAM. · docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
CMS starter projects
The official site lists boilerplates for Drupal, WordPress, Laravel, Magento, Grav, Gatsby, Hugo, and JAM. · docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Command line
Docksal includes the `fin` command-line tool to manage its components. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Development tools
Project stacks include Composer, PHP Code Sniffer, php-cli, Node, npm, Ruby, Bundler, Python, Drush, Drupal Console, and WP-CLI. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Hosting integrations
The documentation lists integrations and tools including Acquia BLT, Pantheon Terminus, Platform.sh, and Cloudflare Tunnel. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Integrations
Documentation lists tools and integrations including Acquia BLT, Behat, Cloudflare Tunnel, Composer, Drush, Pantheon Terminus, Platform.sh, WP-CLI, Xdebug, and ngrok. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Operating systems
The installation pages describe macOS, Linux, and Windows support, using Docker Desktop or VirtualBox where specified. · docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Permissions
The installer requires administrative privileges to install fin, configure networking, and make operating-system-specific changes. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Project isolation
Projects are separated, can use different stack requirements and service versions, and can be managed independently. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Project model
The product site describes Docksal as a collective effort by contributors and supporters, and lists maintainers and developer advocates rather than a company headquarters or founding date. · docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
Docksal defines and manages web development environments using Docker and Docker Compose to create containerized project environments. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Quick setup
The documentation says a zero-configuration AMP stack can be running with two commands. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Security and networking
On Windows and Linux, Docksal routes all DNS queries through its DNS resolver by default; the documentation describes fallback to the host's next configured DNS server if Docksal's VM or DNS service is down. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Services
Built-in support includes Apache Solr, Varnish, Memcache, Selenium, and Behat, and other services can be added as Docker containers. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Sharing
Docksal documentation describes sharing a site over the internet using ngrok. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
SSH key handling
The SSH agent service can share keys across project containers; documentation cautions that on Windows and macOS, other local users could access keys through its configured proxy port. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
Support
The product site directs users to GitHub Discussions for support and lists [email protected] as its contact email. · docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
System requirement
The current installation documentation specifies 8 GB or more of RAM. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026
System requirements
The documentation specifies 8 GB or more of RAM; Windows requires Windows 10 and hardware virtualization, and Linux requires an SSE4.2-capable CPU. · docs.docksal.io, 8 Oct 2026

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