Kiri Windows
Experimental Windows 10 and 11 · x64 · WSL2
Kiri for Windows.
Kiri's Linux engine runs inside WSL2, on the Linux kernel Windows already ships. A small Windows program serves the Docker API on a named pipe and opens Kiri's window, so docker in PowerShell just works.
Experimental, and not out yet. Every number here was measured on it.
Measured
Six times faster to start a container.
Kiri and Docker Desktop on one Windows PC, minutes apart, through the same docker CLI from PowerShell, with the same images, warm.
| Measurement | Kiri | Docker Desktop |
|---|---|---|
docker run --rm alpine true | 78 ms | 491 ms |
docker exec … true | 57 ms | 89 ms |
| 200 MB out of a container | 255 MB/s | 40 MB/s |
Medians of 20 runs, 25 October 2026. Windows 11 Pro, AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395, 128 GB, WSL 2.6.3 with NAT networking; Docker Desktop 29.8.2 on its WSL2 backend with default settings; Kiri 0.1.0 in Ubuntu 24.04. Copying into a container isn't comparable yet, so it isn't shown.
Windows
Windows on the outside, Linux where it counts.
A native window
The same Kiri window as on the Mac, built on Win32 and WebView2, the browser engine Windows already has. No Electron.
The Docker API on a named pipe
kiri-win.exe serves the API at \\.\pipe\kiri as the kiri docker context, and carries it into WSL over a single bridge.
Your network settings stay put
No change to WSL's or Windows' network configuration, no port juggling, no localhost relay to drop half your output.
No admin, no service
A per-user installer into your own profile. Kiri starts when you sign in, and uninstalls cleanly.
Plays nicely with Docker Desktop
If Docker Desktop is installed, Kiri doesn't take over as the default engine, and an existing docker CLI keeps winning on PATH. Switch with docker context use kiri.
Everything in one installer
The engine, kiri-win.exe, the docker CLI, Compose and buildx, so nothing else needs installing.
When it lands
What you'll need.
Windows 10 or 11, x64
Arm PCs aren't supported yet.
WSL2
If you don't have it yet, wsl --install in an administrator PowerShell, then restart. Kiri uses a WSL distro you pick on first run.
Nothing else
No Docker Desktop, no Hyper-V settings to change. Kiri brings its own docker, Compose and buildx.
Day one
Three steps to your first container.
Run the installer
Open the
.msi. It installs for you alone, with no admin prompt, and adds Kiri to the Start menu.Open Kiri
First run picks a WSL distro and sets up the
kiridocker context. Then open a new PowerShell window.Run something
> docker run --rm hello-worldCompose and buildx work too, from Windows or from inside WSL.