orbstack-best-practices
Use when working with OrbStack Linux VMs, Docker on macOS, orbctl commands, or orb machine lifecycle.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/alleneubank/claude-code --skill orbstack-best-practices- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads orbstack-best-practices automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
OrbStack Best Practices
OrbStack is a fast Docker and Linux VM runtime for macOS. Replaces Docker Desktop with better performance and seamless macOS integration.
Core Commands
# Machine lifecycle
orb list # List machines
orb create ubuntu:noble myvm # Create (distro:version name)
orb create --arch amd64 ubuntu x86vm # x86 emulation via Rosetta
orb create ubuntu myvm -c cloud.yml # With cloud-init
orb start/stop/restart/delete myvm
orb default myvm # Set default machine
# Shell and exec
orb # Shell into default machine
orb -m myvm -u root # Specific machine + user
orb -m myvm ./script.sh # Run command in machine
# File transfer
orb push ~/local.txt # Copy to default machine home
orb pull ~/remote.txt # Copy from default machine
orb push -m vm ~/f.txt /tmp/ # Specific machine + path
# Docker/K8s
orb restart docker # Restart Docker engine
orb logs docker # Docker engine logs
orb start k8s / orb delete k8s
# Config
orb config set memory_mib 8192
orb config set cpu 4
orb config set rosetta true
orb config set network_proxy http://proxy:8080
Key Paths
| Location | Path |
|---|---|
| Linux files from macOS | ~/OrbStack/<machine>/ |
| Docker volumes from macOS | ~/OrbStack/docker/volumes/ |
| macOS files from Linux | /mnt/mac/Users/... (also at same path directly) |
| Other machines from Linux | /mnt/machines/<name>/ |
| SSH key | ~/.orbstack/ssh/id_ed25519 |
| Docker daemon config | ~/.orbstack/config/docker.json |
Networking (OrbStack-Specific)
Servers in Linux machines are automatically available on localhost on macOS — no port mapping required.
DNS names:
| Pattern | Resolves to |
|---|---|
<machine>.orb.local | Linux VM |
<container>.orb.local | Docker container |
<svc>.<project>.orb.local | Compose service |
host.orb.internal | macOS host (from Linux machine) |
host.docker.internal | macOS host (from container) |
All .orb.local domains get zero-config HTTPS automatically.
Custom container domain: docker run -l dev.orbstack.domains=myapp.local nginx
VPN-compatible; follows macOS proxy settings automatically.
SSH Access
Single multiplexed SSH server — no per-machine setup needed:
ssh orb # Default machine
ssh myvm@orb # Specific machine
ssh user@myvm@orb # Specific user + machine
IDE config: VS Code "Remote - SSH" → orb or myvm@orb. JetBrains: host localhost, port 32222, key ~/.orbstack/ssh/id_ed25519. SSH agent forwarding is automatic.
Docker Differences from Docker Desktop
- Container domains resolve without port mapping (
web.orb.localinstead oflocalhost:8080). - Prefer named volumes over bind mounts — data stays in Linux, no cross-filesystem overhead.
- x86 images on Apple Silicon:
docker run --platform linux/amd64 ubuntuorexport DOCKER_DEFAULT_PLATFORM=linux/amd64. - SSH agent in containers:
-v /run/host-services/ssh-auth.sock:/agent.sock -e SSH_AUTH_SOCK=/agent.sock. - Kubernetes: all service types accessible from macOS without
kubectl port-forward;cluster.localDNS works directly.
macOS Commands from Linux
mac open https://example.com # Open in macOS browser
mac notify "Build done" # macOS notification
ORBENV=AWS_PROFILE:EDITOR orb ./deploy.sh # Forward env vars
Troubleshooting
orb report # Generate diagnostic report
orb logs myvm # Machine boot logs
orb restart docker # Restart Docker engine
orb reset # Factory reset (deletes everything)
docker context use orbstack # Fix "cannot connect to Docker daemon"
Rosetta x86 error: sudo dpkg --add-architecture amd64 && sudo apt install libc6:amd64
Cloud-init debug: orb -m myvm cloud-init status --long or orb -m myvm cat /var/log/cloud-init-output.log
FAQ
What does the orbstack-best-practices skill do?
Use when working with OrbStack Linux VMs, Docker on macOS, orbctl commands, or orb machine lifecycle.
How do I install orbstack-best-practices?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/alleneubank/claude-code --skill orbstack-best-practices in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/orbstack-best-practices/ (personal) or .claude/skills/orbstack-best-practices/ (project).
Which AI agents can use orbstack-best-practices?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is orbstack-best-practices safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains orbstack-best-practices?
It is published by alleneubank in alleneubank/claude-code. It has 283 recorded installs.
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