azd uses Podman when Docker is unavailable

Introduced 2026-01-15 · score 0.97

HOW TO USE IT

When running azd container functionality, azd checks Docker first and falls back to Podman. Set `AZD_CONTAINER_RUNTIME` to `podman` or `docker` to choose explicitly.

WHY THIS HELPS

Run azd container functionality in a development environment where Podman is installed and Docker is unavailable.

BEFORE THIS CHANGE

Previously, azd required Docker for container functionality; without Docker, running `azd provision` failed its external-tool check.

REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS

• Version: 1.23.0
• AZD_CONTAINER_RUNTIME: Selects the container runtime; documented values are `docker` and `podman`.
• azd provision [<layer>] [flags]: Provisions Azure resources for the project; `<layer>` and flags are optional.
• Prerequisite: The selected runtime must be installed and its service running. Minimum versions: Docker 17.09 or Podman 3.0.
• Docker 17.09+ or Podman 3.0+ is required.
• Cross-platform support applies on platforms where Podman is supported.

FIRST-PARTY EVIDENCE

• https://github.com/Azure/azure-dev/releases/tag/azure-dev-cli_1.23.0
• https://github.com/Azure/azure-dev/pull/6436
• https://github.com/Azure/azure-dev/blob/azure-dev-cli_1.23.0/cli/azd/pkg/tools/docker/docker.go
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/developer/azure-developer-cli/reference

Check the installed version and the source before using it. Entry JSON

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