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docs: address issue #24171

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Signed-off-by: David Karlsson <35727626+dvdksn@users.noreply.github.com>
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committed by David Karlsson
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49
content/manuals/desktop/features/containerd.md
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@@ -1,37 +1,29 @@
---
title: containerd image store
weight: 80
description: How to activate the containerd integration feature in Docker Desktop
description: Learn about the containerd image store in Docker Desktop and how it extends image management capabilities.
keywords: Docker, containerd, engine, image store, lazy-pull
toc_max: 3
aliases:
- /desktop/containerd/
- /desktop/containerd/
---
Docker Desktop is transitioning to use containerd for image and filesystem management. This page outlines the benefits, setup process, and new capabilities enabled by the containerd image store.
> [!NOTE]
>
> Docker Desktop maintains separate image stores for the classic and containerd image stores.
> When switching between them, images and containers from the inactive store remain on disk but are hidden until you switch back.
Docker Desktop uses containerd as its image store by default. The image store
is the component responsible for pushing, pulling, and storing images on your
filesystem. The containerd image store supports features like multi-platform
images, image attestations, and alternative snapshotters.
## What is `containerd`?
`containerd` is a container runtime that provides a lightweight, consistent interface for container lifecycle management. It is already used under the hood by Docker Engine for creating, starting, and stopping containers.
Docker Desktop’s ongoing integration of containerd now extends to the image store, offering more flexibility and modern image support.
`containerd` is a container runtime that provides a lightweight, consistent
interface for container lifecycle and image management. It is used under the
hood by Docker Engine for creating, starting, and stopping containers.
## What is the `containerd` image store?
The image store is the component responsible for pushing, pulling,
and storing images on the filesystem.
The classic Docker image store is limited in the types of images that it supports.
For example, it doesn't support image indices, containing manifest lists.
When you create multi-platform images, for example,
the image index resolves all the platform-specific variants of the image.
An image index is also required when building images with attestations.
The containerd image store extends the range of image types
that the Docker Engine can natively interact with.
While this is a low-level architectural change,
@@ -47,20 +39,33 @@ it's a prerequisite for unlocking a range of new use cases, including:
[2]: https://github.com/containerd/nydus-snapshotter
[3]: https://github.com/dragonflyoss/image-service
## Enable the containerd image store
## Classic image store
The containerd image store is enabled by default in Docker Desktop version 4.52
and later.
The classic image store is Docker's legacy storage backend, replaced by the
containerd image store. It doesn't support image indices or manifest lists, so
you can't load multi-platform images locally or build images with attestations.
To manually select which image store Docker Desktop uses:
Most users have no reason to use the classic image store. It's available for
cases where you need to match older behavior or have compatibility
requirements.
## Switch image stores
The containerd image store is enabled by default in Docker Desktop version 4.34
and later. To switch between image stores:
1. Navigate to **Settings** in Docker Desktop.
2. In the **General** tab, check or clear the **Use containerd for pulling and storing images** option.
3. Select **Apply**.
> [!NOTE]
>
> Docker Desktop maintains separate image stores for the classic and containerd image stores.
> When switching between them, images and containers from the inactive store remain on disk but are hidden until you switch back.
## Build multi-platform images
Enabling the containerd image store lets you build multi-platform images
The containerd image store lets you build multi-platform images
and load them to your local image store:
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