Title: VIP Local Development Environment requirements
Author: WordPress VIP Documentation
Published: June 5, 2024
Last modified: April 7, 2026

---

 1. [VIP Local Development Environment](https://docs.wpvip.com/vip-local-development-environment/)
 2. VIP Local Development Environment requirements

#  VIP Local Development Environment requirements

To successfully work with the [VIP Local Development Environment](https://docs.wpvip.com/vip-local-development-environment/),
some dependencies must be installed and maintained on the user’s local machine.

To create and manage a VIP Local Development Environment, the user’s local machine
must meet the following requirements:

 * [VIP-CLI is installed](https://docs.wpvip.com/vip-cli/installing-vip-cli/) and
   is updated to [the most current version](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@automattic/vip/v/latest).
 * The latest version of [Docker Engine](https://docs.docker.com/engine/) and [Docker Compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/)
   is installed.
 * **For Debian-Based Linux distributions:** [Install the Docker Compose plugin](https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/linux/).
   Linux users are also required to [follow the Linux post-installation steps for Docker Engine](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/linux-postinstall/)
   as it is not possible to use the VIP Local Development Environment without doing
   so.
 * **For macOS users:** [Xcode Command Line Tools](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/technotes/tn2339/_index.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/DTS40014588-CH1-DOWNLOADING_COMMAND_LINE_TOOLS_IS_NOT_AVAILABLE_IN_XCODE_FOR_MACOS_10_9__HOW_CAN_I_INSTALL_THEM_ON_MY_MACHINE_)
   are installed. 
   Xcode can be installed by running the command: `xcode-select --
   install`.
 * **For Windows users:** [WSL should be set to version 2 for Windows Docker Desktop compatibility](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/windows/wsl/).
   All `vip dev-env` commands should be made from the chosen distribution app’s 
   command line, or by targeting a WSL installation in [Microsoft Terminal](https://aka.ms/terminal).
   Additional considerations for running `git` commands and making edits to a locally
   cloned GitHub repository will be required [when working across Windows and Linux file systems](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/filesystems).

## Docker requirements

The VIP Local Development Environment utilizes [Docker Engine](https://docs.docker.com/engine/)
and [Docker Compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/). For the VIP Local Development
Environment to work as expected, both of these components must be installed on a
local machine and maintained at their latest version.

### Docker Desktop

Docker Engine and Docker Compose are commonly installed on a local machine by installing
[the Docker Desktop application](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/).
Depending on the size of an organization, installing Docker Desktop may require 
a paid subscription.

**Notice**:

**Docker Desktop 4.67.0 on MacOS with Apple Silicon has an issue with mounts, and
is not compatible with VIP Local Development Environment.** If you encounter problems
creating or starting an environment using this version, please use Docker Desktop
4.66.1 or earlier from: [https://docs.docker.com/desktop/release-notes/#4661](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/release-notes/#4661)

### Alternatives to Docker Desktop

As an alternative, Docker Engine and Docker Compose can be installed separately.

 * **Windows:** The [Chocolatey package manager](https://community.chocolatey.org/)
   can be used to [install Docker Engine](https://community.chocolatey.org/packages/docker-engine)
   and [install Docker Compose](https://community.chocolatey.org/packages/docker-compose).
 * **macOS and Linux:**
    1. Use the [Homebrew package manager](https://formulae.brew.sh/) to [install Docker](https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/docker),
       [install Docker Compose](https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/docker-compose), and
       [install Colima](https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/colima).
    2. [Symlink the Colima socket](https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/blob/main/docs/FAQ.md#cannot-connect-to-the-docker-daemon-at-unixvarrundockersock-is-the-docker-daemon-running)
       to the default socket path: `sudo ln -sf $HOME/.colima/default/docker.sock /
       var/run/docker.sock`
    3. Start Colima: `colima start --vm-type=vz --mount-type virtiofs`

Last updated: April 07, 2026