Andrew ValleteauandClaude 2cb70302b0 docs(cli): recommend OrbStack as primary Docker alternative on macOS (#51101)
## Problem

The documentation currently lists Docker Desktop as the preferred option
for all platforms, but OrbStack is a superior alternative on macOS that
offers better performance (faster startup, lower CPU/memory/disk usage).
Users on macOS should be guided toward OrbStack first.

## Solution

Reordered and updated the container runtime recommendations to:
1. Highlight OrbStack as the recommended option specifically for macOS
2. Position Docker Desktop as the recommended option for Windows and
Linux
3. Moved OrbStack higher in the list to reflect its priority on macOS
4. Added a dedicated paragraph in the CLI getting started guide
explaining OrbStack's benefits and why it's recommended over Docker
Desktop on macOS

The changes improve the developer experience by directing macOS users
toward the more performant option while maintaining clear guidance for
other platforms.

## Review instructions

1. Open the preview links for the modified documentation pages
2. Verify that OrbStack is now listed first and marked as "recommended
on macOS"
3. Verify that Docker Desktop is now marked as "recommended on Windows
and Linux"
4. Check the CLI getting started guide to confirm the new paragraph
about OrbStack's benefits is clear and helpful
5. Ensure the information is consistent across both modified files

## Checklist

- [x] I have read
[CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/supabase/supabase/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md)
- [x] Documentation changes follow the docs style guide

https://claude.ai/code/session_01Nbp9LwhMkqxEvQJzEVUbwt

<!-- This is an auto-generated comment: release notes by coderabbit.ai
-->
## Summary by CodeRabbit

* **Documentation**
* Updated local development guidance to recommend OrbStack for macOS and
Docker Desktop for Windows and Linux.
* Clarified that OrbStack supports extended file attributes on mounted
volumes and container networking, and added startup and resource-use
comparisons with Docker Desktop.
* Listed Rancher Desktop and Podman as alternatives; the CLI guide also
lists Colima.
<!-- end of auto-generated comment: release notes by coderabbit.ai -->

---------

Co-authored-by: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-09-30 17:04:49 +00:00
2026-09-30 14:53:28 +02:00
2025-06-17 11:08:46 +02:00
2024-01-10 13:34:41 +01:00
2021-07-25 12:45:26 +08:00
2026-09-29 18:32:27 +03:00

Supabase

Supabase is the Postgres development platform. We're building the features of Firebase using enterprise-grade open source tools.

  • Hosted Postgres Database. Docs
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  • Functions.
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How it works

Supabase is a combination of open source tools. We’re building the features of Firebase using enterprise-grade, open source products. If the tools and communities exist, with an MIT, Apache 2, or equivalent open license, we will use and support that tool. If the tool doesn't exist, we build and open source it ourselves. Supabase is not a 1-to-1 mapping of Firebase. Our aim is to give developers a Firebase-like developer experience using open source tools.

Architecture

Supabase is a hosted platform. You can sign up and start using Supabase without installing anything. You can also self-host and develop locally.

Architecture

  • Postgres is an object-relational database system with over 30 years of active development that has earned it a strong reputation for reliability, feature robustness, and performance.
  • Realtime is an Elixir server that allows you to listen to PostgreSQL inserts, updates, and deletes using websockets. Realtime polls Postgres' built-in replication functionality for database changes, converts changes to JSON, then broadcasts the JSON over websockets to authorized clients.
  • PostgREST is a web server that turns your PostgreSQL database directly into a RESTful API.
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Our approach for client libraries is modular. Each sub-library is a standalone implementation for a single external system. This is one of the ways we support existing tools.

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Go - postgrest-go gotrue-go - storage-go functions-go
Java - - gotrue-java - storage-java -
Kotlin supabase-kt postgrest-kt auth-kt realtime-kt storage-kt functions-kt
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