Tart is a virtualization toolset for building, running, and managing macOS and Linux virtual machines on Apple Silicon.
The tool addresses the need to run VMs efficiently on Apple Silicon hardware, particularly for continuous integration and automation workflows. Tart leverages Apple's Virtualization.Framework to achieve near-native performance rather than relying on emulation. It supports pushing and pulling virtual machines from OCI-compatible container registries, enabling easy distribution and versioning of VM images. The Tart Packer Plugin automates VM creation, and the tool integrates with any CI system without requiring specialized infrastructure.
Tart suits teams running CI pipelines on Apple Silicon Macs who need to test macOS and Linux workloads. It is particularly valuable for organizations already invested in container registry infrastructure, since VM images can be stored and retrieved like container images. The tool works on macOS Ventura or later and is designed for automation-heavy environments where reproducible, shareable VM configurations matter.
The project maintains active engagement with its user community through discussions and documentation. Development activity shows responsiveness to real-world usage patterns, as evidenced by the tool's adoption across multiple companies running internal CI setups. The codebase is written in Swift, reflecting the tight integration with Apple's native virtualization APIs and the macOS ecosystem.
