Add Colima installation over Docker Desktop

dev_envs/mac-env-setup.md

@@ -45,7 +45,10 @@ xcode-select --install
 
 ### Docker ###
 
-Download the latest stable [Docker for Mac](https://www.docker.com/docker-mac).
+> [!NOTE]
+> [Colima](#colima-a-docker-alternative) is our preferred solution on macOS.
+
+Download the latest stable [Docker Desktop on Mac](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/).
 Install it by double-clicking the downloaded `dmg` file and dragging the
 Docker application file to the `Applications` folder.
 
@@ -106,6 +109,128 @@ After installing Brew, you'll want to install other useful
 packages. We recommend installing all the packages specified in the
 [CISA `laptop` script repository](https://github.com/cisagov/laptop/blob/master/Brewfile).
 
+### Colima: A Docker alternative ###
+
+For individuals or businesses seeking a container solution without
+the licensing conditions associated with [Docker Desktop](https://www.docker.com/pricing/faq/)
+, [Colima](https://github.com/abiosoft/colima) offers a compelling
+open-source alternative. Compatible with both MacOS and Linux,
+Colima facilitates running containers directly using Docker
+commands without the need for Docker Desktop.
+
+#### Installing Colima ####
+
+**Prerequisites:** If Docker Desktop is installed on your system,
+uninstall it before proceeding.
+
+**Installation Steps:**
+
+1. Install Colima and Docker command-line tools using Homebrew:
+
+    ```console
+    brew install colima docker docker-compose
+    ```
+
+1. Verify the installation by starting Colima:
+
+    ```console
+    colima start
+    ```
+
+    This initializes the Docker daemon within a lightweight VM.
+    The first startup may take a moment.
+
+1. Confirm Docker is operational:
+
+    ```console
+    docker
+    ```
+
+    You should see the Docker usage menu.
+
+1. Verify `docker-compose` is working:
+
+    ```console
+    docker-compose
+    ```
+
+    The `docker-compose` usage menu should appear.
+
+### Optional configurations ###
+
+Enhance your Colima setup with the following optional configurations:
+
+#### Docker Compose as a Docker plugin ####
+
+Convert `docker-compose` to a Docker plugin for streamlined commands:
+
+1. Create a directory for Docker CLI plugins:
+
+    ```console
+    mkdir -p ~/.docker/cli-plugins
+    ```
+
+1. Symlink the `docker-compose` command:
+
+    ```console
+    ln -sfn $(brew --prefix)/opt/docker-compose/bin/docker-compose ~/.docker/cli-plugins/docker-compose
+    ```
+
+1. Verify by running:
+
+    ```console
+    docker compose
+    ```
+
+    Ensure the `docker compose` usage menu is displayed.
+
+#### Installing Buildx ####
+
+Buildx is necessary for building some Docker containers:
+
+1. Install Buildx with Homebrew:
+
+    ```console
+    brew install docker-buildx
+    ```
+
+1. Symlink Buildx to the CLI plugins directory:
+
+    ```console
+    ln -sfn $(brew --prefix)/opt/docker-buildx/bin/docker-buildx ~/.docker/cli-plugins/docker-buildx
+    ```
+
+#### Customizing VM resources ####
+
+To customize the VM's resources, such as CPUs, memory, and disk space:
+
+1. Stop Colima:
+
+    ```console
+    colima stop
+    ```
+
+1. Restart with desired specifications:
+
+    ```console
+    colima start --cpu 4 --memory 4 --disk 100
+    ```
+
+### Support applications that are unaware of Docker context ###
+
+In your .zshrc profile add the following configuration.
+
+```console
+# Set env variable for Colima compatibility with Docker
+export DOCKER_HOST=unix://$HOME/.colima/default/docker.sock
+```
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> This configuration directs Docker client tools to communicate with the
+> Docker daemon managed by Colima, ensuring that Docker commands and
+> applications (e.g. Molecule) function as expected without Docker Desktop.
+> For more information, see [here](https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/blob/main/docs/FAQ.md#cannot-connect-to-the-docker-daemon-at-unixvarrundockersock-is-the-docker-daemon-running).
+
 ### Environment configuration ###
 
 For portability between computers and environments, you may want to switch