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lthn.ai Runtime · Containers · No daemon

Core VM

Core VM (go-container) is a Docker-free container runtime — immutable images with no daemon overhead. It runs portable dev environments and isolates LEM models, with LinuxKit, Apple VZ, or the experimental TIM format underneath.

No daemon
Direct execution
3 providers
LinuxKit · VZ · TIM
Immutable
Read-only base
go-container
Repository
INCLUDED

What ships with it

Three providers, one interface

LinuxKit (default, battle-tested), Apple VZ (in-process on macOS 26+), and the experimental TIM bundle format all share a single Provider interface.

Immutable by design

Read-only base images with explicit writable mounts; isolation through LinuxKit, VZ, or TIM rather than a shared daemon.

Dev environments and model isolation

core/dev uses it for portable, reproducible dev environments; LEM runs each model in its own container.

Encrypted images

dm-crypt volumes under LinuxKit, Sigil encryption under TIM — images stay sealed at rest.

INTERFACE

Surface area

Run
core run app.yml

Build and boot a container; choose the provider with --provider linuxkit|vz|tim.

Manage
core vm list · start · stop · console

Container lifecycle, images, and templates from the CLI; state under ~/.core/.

Library
dappco.re/go/container

Embed the Provider interface in Go for build, run, encrypt, and decrypt.

QUICKSTART

Run a container

LinuxKit is the default (production); Apple VZ runs in-process on macOS 26+; TIM is the experimental homegrown format. State and images live under ~/.core/.

Run a container 
core run app.yml
core run app.yml --provider vz
core vm list
REFERENCE

Read the contract

Run dev environments and isolate models without Docker.

A daemonless runtime with LinuxKit, Apple VZ, and TIM behind one interface.