Comment by frabonacci

Great question, and totally fair.

You're right that Docker on macOS runs inside a lightweight Linux VM (via Docker Desktop or Colima). We’re not using that VM to run the macOS guests - those run directly on the host via Apple’s Vz — but we do use Docker as a packaging and management layer (e.g. bundling noVNC, CLI tools, and configs).

So is it strictly necessary? Not really. But for teams already using Docker in CI/CD or automated workflows, it's often a tradeoff they're already making - and it means one less new tool/interface to adopt.

That said, we’re also looking into potentially using nested virtualization within the Docker daemon (which relies on Apple Vz under the hood) on M3+ chips, so as to remove the background service on the host entirely