How to install only Docker client on MacOS?

Question

Docker can work decently remotely by defining DOCKER_HOST variable but now I do want to avoid installing the fat Docker for MacOS which also installs and starts the docker engine on a VM, one that seems to consume resources.

As docker work remotely it should continue to be able to build images, list images, start and stop them without having a docker servic/vm mac.

How can I do this? (docker cli seems to be come only with the entire cow).

Answer 1

I guess you are looking for install-client-binaries-on-macos.

Docker company afford some prebuilt binary, just download here, unpackage it, then you will find a standalone docker client binary there, copy it to your mac, out of the box for use.

Answer 2

There seems to be no install of the client only; but after installing the fat cow, you can tell it to stay off your grass by unchecking Start Docker Desktop when you log in in the preferences, and then shut down the Docker server.

That's what I do, and when I need docker locally I just start and then after using it, I shut it down again.