Red Hat extension pack for Podman Desktop

Build, manage, and deploy containers and Kubernetes locally with desktop applications for Mac, Windows, and Linux.

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Red Hat extension pack for Podman Desktop

Podman Desktop can be enriched with extensions, allowing the developers to extend their developer workflow beyond containers. With the help of Podman Desktop extensions by Red Hat, developers can develop and test their containers locally and leverage Red Hat technologies to ensure consistency and predictability in deployments.

The Red Hat extension pack brings together extensions enabling the developers to work with Red Hat technologies and tools directly from Podman Desktop. This eliminates the need to install Red Hat extensions individually and developers can start experimenting on Podman Desktop fast.

Red Hat extension pack contains:

  • Project Hummingbird extension: Access hardened container base images, perform real-time vulnerability scanning, and evaluate image options—all in your local environment.
  • Red Hat OpenShift Local: Set up and use OpenShift Local clusters from Podman Desktop.
  • Red Hat Developer Sandbox: Connect and get 30-day free access to the shared OpenShift cluster.
  • Bootc extension: Get bootc extension to build bootable containers from Podman Desktop.
  • Podman AI Lab: Run Large Language Models locally and build AI applications with Podman AI Lab.
  • Red Hat SSO:  Sign up with Red Hat SSO to access Red Hat Registry and a no-cost developer subscription.
Red Hat extensions for Podman Desktop

Red Hat extensions

Project Hummingbird extension

Project Hummingbird is an automated pipeline that creates and maintains a catalog of hardened container base images by stripping away unnecessary software to minimize security vulnerabilities. The Project Hummingbird extension integrates this catalog into your local environment.

Search the catalog for verified base images or use the Grype extension for real-time vulnerability scanning. Use the optimization dashboard and one-click cloning to easily evaluate and swap base images. 

The Hummingbird extension works with both Podman Desktop and the Red Hat build of Podman Desktop. 

Explore Project Hummingbird

Learn about the extension

Red Hat OpenShift Local extension

OpenShift Local is a single-node OpenShift cluster designed to run on local computers where developers can develop, test, and run their container-based applications during development.

The Red Hat OpenShift Local extension for Podman Desktop enables developers to configure and set up OpenShift clusters quickly. Developers get a visual way to manage their clusters and interact with the resources running on those.

With Podman Desktop and the Red Hat OpenShift Local extension, developers can build micro-services-based applications, build them into images, create Kubernetes resources, and manifest them to run them into the OpenShift Local environment. This solution provides a cost-effective bridge between local development and the production environment. 

 Learn more

Install the OpenShift Local extension

The Developer Sandbox extension

The Developer Sandbox is a no-cost, cloud-native OpenShift development environment where developers can build, test, and deploy their applications in a shared OpenShift remote environment.

With Podman Desktop and Developer Sandbox extensions, developers can seamlessly deploy their applications, inspect, test, and debug them directly from their local developer environment, all while being remotely connected to that environment.

Install the Developer Sandbox extension

Register for a no-cost Developer Sandbox account

Bootc extension

The bootc extension is used to create bootable container disk images derived from bootable input container images. This extension, once added to Podman Desktop, helps to differentiate bootable containers from normal ones.

Install the bootc extension

Build and run image mode for Podman Desktop

Learn more about Image mode for RHEL

Red Hat AI Lab extension

The Red Hat AI Lab extension makes it simple for developers to get started with AI without depending on infrastructure beyond their laptop. It provides an AI-model catalog and playground environments to try locally-available AI use cases and AI models.

Podman AI Lab learning exercise

Red Hat SSO extension

The Red Hat SSO extension simplifies creating and logging in to a Red Hat account. The SSO extension lets users register for the Red Hat Developer program, register Linux VMs, and log into catalog.redhat.com to access RHEL image mode binaries.

Install the Red Hat SSO extension

Build and run image mode using Podman Desktop

Where can I find Podman Desktop extensions?

Extend Podman Desktop capabilities with the extensions. Podman Desktop extensions contribute to container engine and virtual machine support as well as integration with third-party tools such as OpenShift Local and the Developer Sandbox.

Get the Red Hat extension pack for Podman Desktop by following the directions from the figures below. You can also get the extension pack from the Podman Desktop dashboard or the extensions catalog.

Read more Write Podman Desktop extension
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