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Charliecloud
What it is
Charliecloud is free, open source container software for high performance computing on Linux. It runs containers without privileged operations or daemons by using Linux user namespaces, requiring minimal configuration changes on computing-center resources. Users can build images, push and pull them to registries, and use accelerators such as GPUs. Its layer-free build cache uses Git rather than union mounts or tarballs, and Dockerfiles are parsed with a formal grammar. The ch-image tool supports authenticated registry transfers, including GitLab Container Registry. At runtime, ch-run can inject host resources through the Container Device Interface, including NVIDIA GPUs and Cray networking. Charliecloud can be built from a release tarball or Git checkout, or installed through Spack and Fedora/EPEL. It supports Linux user namespaces and has run on x86-64, ARM and Power; current testing covers x86_64 and ARM. The project supports only the current release and uses the Apache License, Version 2.0.
For and against
For
- Runs containers without privileged operations or daemons
- Builds, pushes and pulls container images
- Supports authenticated registry access
- Can inject GPU and networking resources
- Available under Apache License 2.0
Against
- Requires Linux user namespaces
- Provides no internal security boundary
- Supports only the current release
- Linux-focused deployment
The verdict
Charliecloud provides a rootless container workflow designed for high performance computing, with image management and hardware integration. Teams must rely on the Linux kernel and userland for security and keep to the current release.
Who it suits
It suits HPC teams needing rootless, Linux-based containers with image registries and accelerator access. It is also suited to organizations comfortable managing open source software themselves.
Plans and prices
Charliecloud
Open source container software; Apache License 2.0
Read 9 Oct 2026 · charliecloud.io
On the record
- Build cache
- Its layer-free build cache is based on Git rather than union mount filesystems and tarballs.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Dockerfile support
- Charliecloud parses Dockerfiles using a formal grammar.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Hardware integration
- At runtime, ch-run can inject host resources into containers using the Container Device Interface, including resources such as NVIDIA GPUs and Cray networking.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Charliecloud can be built from a release tarball or Git checkout and is also available through package managers including Spack and Fedora/EPEL.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- Charliecloud is open source software distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- The project states that it supports only the current release.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Platform requirements
- Charliecloud requires Linux user namespaces for its fully unprivileged workflow; it has been run on x86-64, ARM, and Power, and is currently tested on x86_64 and ARM.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Project membership
- Charliecloud is a member of the High Performance Software Foundation and, through it, the Linux Foundation.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Charliecloud is a lightweight, fully unprivileged, open source container implementation for high performance computing applications.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Registry compatibility
- The ch-image tool can push and pull images to registries, including GitLab Container Registry, and supports registry authentication.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Runtime model
- It uses Linux user namespaces to run containers without privileged operations or daemons, with minimal configuration changes on computing center resources.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Security approach
- Charliecloud does not provide a security boundary within the software and relies on the Linux kernel and userland to enforce security.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- Users can report bugs or request features through the GitLab project and can get usage help through mailing lists and chat channels.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Workflow
- It supports building images, pushing and pulling images to registries, and using accelerators such as GPUs.charliecloud.io · read 9 Oct 2026
