podman-desktop/website/docs/getting-started/using-the-docker_host-environment-variable.md

id	title	description	tags	keywords	hide_table_of_contents
using-the-docker_host-environment-variable	Using the `DOCKER_HOST` environment variable	Using the `DOCKER_HOST` environment variable can make it easier to migrate from Docker to Podman Desktop, as it allows you to continue using familiar Docker commands while taking advantage of the benefits of Podman.	podman-desktop getting-started	podman desktop podman containers docker_host environment variable	false

Using the DOCKER_HOST environment variable

Consider using the DOCKER_HOST environment variable to migrate transparently from Docker to Podman Desktop on all platforms.

• Continue using familiar Docker commands.
• Take advantage of the benefits of Podman.
• Your tools, such as Gradle or Testcontainers, communicate with Podman without reconfiguration.

Prerequisites

• Podman

Procedure

1. Identify the location of your Podman socket:

   • On Linux:

     $ podman info --format '{{.Host.RemoteSocket.Path}}'
     

   • On macOS and Windows:

     $ podman machine inspect --format '{{.ConnectionInfo.PodmanSocket.Path}}'
     

2. Set the DOCKER_HOST environment variable to your Podman socker location:

   $ export DOCKER_HOST=<your_podman_socket_location>
   

Verification

• Your tools using the DOCKER_HOST environment variable, such as Gradle or Testcontainers, communicate with Podman without reconfiguration.