Tool Profile

Smol machines

Portable VMs with container-like ergonomics and subsecond cold starts.

Open source Latest HN thread

Why developers recommend it

The thread read like an enthusiastic early-adopter discussion of a genuinely new runtime and packaging approach.

Reference ID

smol-machines

Hacker News Mentions

2026-04-17

The founder described it as a Docker replacement with Firecracker-inspired isolation, and commenters praised the comparison table, self-contained binary packaging, and overall design.

Show HN: Smol machines – subsecond coldstart, portable virtual machines

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