For AI agents: a documentation index is available at the root level at /llms.txt and /llms-full.txt. Append /llms.txt to any URL for a page-level index, or .md for the markdown version of any page.
      • AstroFully-managed data operations, powered by Apache Airflow.
      • Astro Private CloudRun Airflow-as-a-service in your environment.
      • Professional ServicesExpert Airflow services for your enterprise's success.
    • Tools
      • Cosmos
      • Orbiter
      • CLI
      • AI SDK
      • Agents
      • Blueprint
      • UpdatesThe State of Airflow 2026See the insights from over 5,800 data practitioners in the full report. Download Now ➔
  • Customers
  • Docs
    • Insights
      • Blog
      • Webinars
      • Resource Library
      • Events
    • Education
      • Academy
      • What is Airflow?
  • Pricing
Get Started Free
    • Astro CLI
    • Quickstart
      • Install the Astro CLI
      • Uninstall the Astro CLI
      • Upgrade the Astro CLI
      • Switch between Podman and Docker
    • CLI reference

Product

  • Platform Overview
  • Astro
  • Astro Observe
  • Astro Private Cloud
  • Security & Trust
  • Pricing

Tools & Services

  • Cosmos
  • Docs
  • Professional Services
  • Product Updates

Use Cases

  • AI Ops
  • Data Observability
  • ETL/ELT
  • ML Ops
  • Operational Analytics
  • All Use Cases

Industries

  • Financial Services
  • Gaming
  • Retail
  • Manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • All Industries

Resources

  • Academy
  • eBooks & Guides
  • Blog
  • Webinars
  • Events
  • The Data Flowcast Podcast
  • All Resources

Airflow

  • What is Airflow
  • Airflow on Astro
  • Airflow 3.0
  • Airflow Upgrades
  • Airflow Use Cases
  • Airflow 2.x End of Life

Company

  • Our Story
  • Customers
  • Newsroom
  • Careers
  • Contact

Support

  • Knowledge Base
  • Status
  • Contact Support
GitHubYouTubeLinkedInx
  • Legal
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Service
  • Consent Preferences

  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal information
  • Limit the Use Of My Sensitive Personal Information

Apache Airflow®, Airflow, and the Airflow logo are trademarks of the Apache Software Foundation. Copyright © Astronomer 2026. All rights reserved.

LogoLogo
On this page
  • Prerequisites
  • Switch between Podman and Docker
Install the CLI

Switch between Podman and Docker

Edit this page
Built with

The Astro CLI automatically runs Podman containers whenever you run a command that requires them. You can switch between Podman and Docker as your container management engine to run Astro CLI commands.

Prerequisites

Docker
Podman
  • Microsoft Hyper-V enabled. See Install Hyper-V On Windows or Step-By-Step: Enabling Hyper-V on Windows 11.
  • The latest version of the Windows App Installer.
  • Windows 10 1709 (build 16299) or later or Windows 11.

Switch between Podman and Docker

To run CLI commands in Docker containers, run the following command:

1astro config set container.binary docker -g

If you need to switch back to using Podman again, run the following command:

1astro config set container.binary podman -g
If you want to switch between Docker and Podman on a specific project without changing the global configuration, run these commands without the -g.