Docker/For Mac/How to Install into Zsh

• How do I get Docker to show up in the Zsh shell after Docker for Mac is installed / updated?

• Feb 2nd, 2025

  • Summary

    • The easiest way to solve this is to go to Docker/For Mac/Settings/Advanced
      • note that there is NOT a scroll bar, but you need to use the scroll wheel with your mouse in the left sidebar; it's a UI made by back-end developers
    • Then select System, which adds /usr/local/bin Docker/CLI tools to Shell/PATH
    • note that while this is working for me right now, this stackoverflow user claimed that after a subsequent docker update, the permissions weren't retained, so they ended up creating a zsh/.zshrc entry for Docker
• Feb 1st, 2025
  • zsh didn't find it

    • docker --version
      zsh: command not found: docker

    • macos - Docker command not found when running on Mac - Stack Overflow

      • top answer

        • you need to add the docker command to your PATH manually. It can be done through profile file. As ZSH is now a default shell on MacOS, it would go to zsh/.zprofile ~/.zprofile file:
          

          • # Add Docker Desktop for Mac (docker)
            export PATH="$PATH:/Applications/Docker.app/Contents/Resources/bin/"

      • comment 1

        • Note that recent versions of docker install the CLI in $HOME/.docker/bin, and these are just symlinks to the bins in /Applications/Docker.app/Contents/Resources/bin/
          

        • so in theory, I could use $HOME/.docker/bin instead...

          • ls $HOME/.docker/bin/
            com.docker.cli                docker-credential-ecr-login   kubectl
            docker                        docker-credential-osxkeychain kubectl.docker
            docker-compose                docker-index
            docker-credential-desktop     hub-tool

      • When should I use zsh/.zprofile vs zsh #Q
        • .zprofile:
          • Loaded for login shells (i.e., when you log into a system via SSH or TTY).
          • It is equivalent to Bash/.bash_profile.
            • Bash login shells use:
              • .bash_profile (preferred)
              • If .bash_profile is missing, it falls back to .profile
              • If neither exists, it may use /etc/profile
          • Ideal for environment variables (export PATH=...), session-wide settings, and commands that should run only once at login.
        • .zshrc:
          • Loaded for interactive shells (i.e., every new terminal session).
          • Equivalent to .bashrc in Bash/.bashrc.
          • Used for shell configuration, such as aliases, functions, key bindings, and prompt settings.
    • Docker/Forum Docker:command not found after installing Docker desktop on Mac - Docker Desktop - Docker Community Forums OP 2020/05

      • comment from 2023/04

        • Interesting, looks like somehow the settings now install docker as USER instead of SYSTEM so the executables are not included in your PATH by default. I recently moved between Macs and was caught offguard by this change.
          

        • 
        • • (original image)
      • A few comments from later, even the last six months; most users flip to system
      • one comment from 2025/01

        • Flipping between also worked for me in 2025. This is even after attempting to manually edit my zsh/.zshrc and bashrc files.
          

    • Docker/Docs/Desktop/Setup/Install/Mac Permission Requirements
      • Understand permission requirements for Docker Desktop on Mac | Docker Docs
        • With version 4.18 and later, you can choose whether to install symlinks either in /usr/local/bin or $HOME/.docker/bin during installation of Docker Desktop.
        • If /usr/local/bin is chosen, and this location is not writable by unprivileged users, Docker Desktop requires authorization to confirm this choice before the symlinks to Docker binaries are created in /usr/local/bin. If $HOME/.docker/bin is chosen, authorization is not required, but then you must manually add $HOME/.docker/bin to their PATH.