Lume

About Lume

Launched Feb 10, 2025

Description

A lightweight CLI for MacOS and Linux VMs on Apple Silicon

We just open-sourced Lume - a tool we built after hitting walls with existing virtualization options on Apple Silicon. No GUI, no complex stacks - just a single binary that lets you spin up macOS or Linux VMs via CLI or API. Why we built Lume: - Run native macOS VMs in 1 command, using Apple Virtualization.Framework: `lume run macos-sequoia-vanilla:latest`

Lume Key Features

- Prebuilt images on https://ghcr.io/trycua (macOS, Ubuntu on ARM)
- API server to manage VMs programmatically `POST /lume/vms`
- A python SDK on github.com/trycua/pylume
- Run prebuilt macOS images in just 1 step: lume run macos-sequoia-vanilla:latest

Pros

Lightweight and efficient: Lume is a single binary without a GUI or complex stacks, making it efficient for users who prefer simplicity.
Open-source: Being open-sourced invites contributions and transparency from the community, promoting trust and adaptability.
Easy to use: Lume allows users to spin up macOS or Linux VMs with a simple one-line command, making it accessible for users familiar with CLI.
Specifically optimized for Apple Silicon: It addresses the need for virtualization on Apple Silicon, utilizing the Apple Virtualization.Framework for native macOS VM support.
Supports API usage: Besides the CLI, it supports API usage, providing flexibility for integration into automated workflows.

Cons

No GUI: Users who prefer a graphical interface over a command-line interface might find Lume less user-friendly.
Limited to MacOS and Linux virtual machines: Lume might not be suitable for users needing a broader range of operating system support.
Targeted to specific hardware: While optimized for Apple Silicon, it may not deliver the same performance on non-Apple Silicon hardware.