Install Docker

NanoClaw runs your agent inside Docker. Docker puts the agent in a closed box, called a container, so the agent can't touch the rest of your computer.

Install it

Click the name of your computer's system to open its section.

macOS

Check if it's already installed. In Terminal, run:

docker --version

• If you see a line like Docker version 29.4.0, build 9d7ad9f, you already have Docker. Skip to Check that it works at the bottom of this section.
• If you see command not found: docker, install one of the two below.

Install it. On a Mac, you can use OrbStack or Docker Desktop. Both give you the docker command that NanoClaw needs. You only need one of them.

Recommended: OrbStack. OrbStack is smaller and lighter than Docker Desktop, so your Mac stays fast. It is free for personal use. If you use it for work, your company needs a paid licence.

1. In the terminal, install OrbStack with Homebrew:

   brew install orbstack

2. Open OrbStack from your Applications folder.

3. If OrbStack asks what you want to use it for, choose Docker. If it asks for your Mac password, type it. OrbStack needs it to set up the docker command.

NanoClaw needs OrbStack to be running. Open OrbStack before you use NanoClaw.

Or: Docker Desktop. Docker Desktop is free for personal use, education, and small businesses.

1. In the terminal, install Docker Desktop with Homebrew:

   brew install --cask docker-desktop

   Type your Mac password if it asks.

2. Open Docker from your Applications folder.

3. Read the Docker Subscription Service Agreement and click Accept.

4. Choose Use recommended settings and click Finish. Type your Mac password if it asks.

5. You don't need a Docker account. If Docker asks you to sign in, you can skip it.

6. Wait until Docker Desktop says that Docker is running. A whale icon appears in the menu bar at the top of the screen.

NanoClaw needs Docker Desktop to be running. To start it every time you turn on your Mac, open Docker Desktop's Settings, then General, and turn on Start Docker Desktop when you sign in to your computer.

Check that it works. In the terminal, run:

docker run hello-world

Docker downloads a tiny test program and runs it. You should see Hello from Docker!.

If you see Cannot connect to the Docker daemon, Docker is installed but not running. Open OrbStack or Docker Desktop from your Applications folder, wait until it has started, and run the command again.

Windows

On Windows, you install Docker Desktop on Windows itself. It then gives Ubuntu a docker command. Don't install Docker inside Ubuntu.

Check if it's already installed. In the Ubuntu terminal, run:

docker --version

• If you see a line like Docker version 29.4.0, build 9d7ad9f, Docker Desktop is installed and Ubuntu can see it. Skip to Check that it works at the bottom of this section.
• If you see command not found: docker, either Docker Desktop isn't installed, or its WSL integration is off. Do the steps below. If Docker Desktop is already on your computer, you only need steps 6 and 7.

Install it.

1. Go to https://docs.docker.com/desktop/setup/install/windows-install/ and download Docker Desktop for Windows. Most computers need the x86_64 version.
2. Open the file you downloaded, Docker Desktop Installer.exe.
3. Keep Use WSL 2 instead of Hyper-V ticked. Follow the steps, then click Close.
4. Click Start, type Docker Desktop, and open it. Read the Docker Subscription Service Agreement and click Accept. Docker Desktop is free for personal use, education, and small businesses.
5. You don't need a Docker account. If Docker asks you to sign in, you can skip it.
6. In Docker Desktop, open Settings (the gear icon), then Resources, then WSL integration. Turn on Ubuntu and click Apply.
7. Close the Ubuntu terminal and open it again, so that it finds Docker.

NanoClaw needs Docker Desktop to be running. To start it every time you turn on your computer, open Docker Desktop's Settings, then General, and turn on Start Docker Desktop when you sign in to your computer.

Check that it works. In the Ubuntu terminal, run:

docker run hello-world

Docker downloads a tiny test program and runs it. You should see Hello from Docker!.

If you see Cannot connect to the Docker daemon, Docker is installed but not running. Open Docker Desktop, wait until it says Docker is running, and run the command again.

Linux

Check if it's already installed. In the terminal, run:

docker --version

• If you see a line like Docker version 29.4.0, build 9d7ad9f, you already have Docker. Skip to Check that it works at the bottom of this section.
• If you see command not found: docker, do the steps below.

Install it.

1. In the terminal, download and run Docker's install script:

   curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
   sudo sh get-docker.sh

   This installs Docker Engine and starts it. It takes a few minutes.

2. In the terminal, let your user run Docker without typing sudo every time:

   sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

   This gives your user full control of Docker, like an administrator. Only do this on your own computer.

3. Log out of your computer and log in again, so that the change takes effect. Then open a new terminal.

Check that it works. In the terminal, run:

docker run hello-world

Docker downloads a tiny test program and runs it. You should see Hello from Docker!.

If you see Cannot connect to the Docker daemon or permission denied, log out of your computer and log in again, then try once more. Step 2 only takes effect in a new login.

Next

Docker is ready. Next, install Make.