Container-Maker (cm)

A Go CLI tool that fuses "the speed of Makefiles, the isolation of Docker, and the intelligence of VS Code DevContainers" into a zero-config developer experience platform. 23 stars, 78 commits, dual-licensed under AGPL-3.0 and a commercial license. Latest release: v3.1.0 (Jan 10, 2026). Single developer: JIPEI HE, Renmin University of China.

Core Concept

The devcontainer.json file is the single source of truth — eliminating separate Dockerfiles, Makefiles, and shell scripts. Built on Docker BuildKit for aggressive layer caching.

Key Features (v3.0+)

• Zero-config onboarding: cm setup auto-installs Docker/Podman per OS
• Environment diagnostics: cm doctor checks runtime, GPU, network, disk
• Project initialization: cm init --template <name> from 30+ templates
• AI config generation: cm ai generate analyzes project files, suggests configs
• AI build debugging: cm ai debug and cm ai optimize
• Local AI: cm ai local generate via Ollama (no API key required)
• Template marketplace: cm marketplace search/install
• VS Code integration: cm code launches with DevContainer support
• Multi-service workspaces: cm workspace orchestrates microservices
• Brownfield migration: cm import docker-compose.yml
• GPU management: cm gpu list/status/allocate
• Cloud control plane: 14+ providers, GPU instances (T4, A10, A100), web dashboard, billing
• Policy as Code: cm policy check with built-in security rules
• SBOM generation: cm sbom (CycloneDX format)
• Resource profiling: cm profile start/stop --report suggests P95-based limits
• Security scanning: cm scan (Trivy integration)
• File watching: cm watch --run "<command>"
• Service mocking: cm mock quick/serve

v3.1.0 (Industrial Edition)

• Plugins: cm plugin install
• Environment Snapshots: cm snapshot create/restore
• Offline Delivery: cm export/load for air-gapped environments

Template Library

30+ templates: pytorch, tensorflow, huggingface, jupyter, miniconda, python-poetry, python-pipenv, cpp-conan, cpp-vcpkg, cpp-cmake, java-maven, java-gradle, dotnet, php-composer, node, react, nextjs, python-web, go, rust, cpp, terraform, kubernetes, ansible.

Caching Claims

Go (up to 10x), Node.js (up to 5x), Rust (up to 8x), Python (up to 3x), Java (up to 4x).

Team/Enterprise Features

Repository management, auth, version pinning, global variables, audit logging.

Feature Maturity

Most features "Stable"; Beta: cm plugin, cm scan, cm cloud, cm marketplace.

Installation

Prebuilt binaries (Windows/Linux/macOS), go install github.com/UPwith-me/Container-Maker/cmd/cm@latest, or build from source. Requires Go 1.21+.