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kwanpham2195
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orbstack

Checks OrbStack status and starts Docker readiness on macOS.

2|Updated Sep 14, 2026
Search Tags:#docker#macos#docker compose#orbstack#testcontainers#readiness#orbctl
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/kwanpham2195/agent-stuff --skill orbstack-kwanpham2195
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: orbstack
Source: https://github.com/kwanpham2195/agent-stuff/tree/main/skills/orbstack
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/kwanpham2195/agent-stuff --skill orbstack-kwanpham2195

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Local tests and development workflows on macOS fail when OrbStack is stopped or Docker is unavailable, and diagnosing that state manually is repetitive. This Skill checks OrbStack and Docker status, starts OrbStack when needed, and waits until Docker is ready before running dependent tasks. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Status Inspection: Check OrbStack and Docker state with orbctl status and docker info, and inspect machines with orbctl list, info, and logs. - Automated Startup: Start OrbStack through orbctl, orb, or the macOS app, then wait for Docker to become available. - Readiness Script: Run scripts/ensure-docker-ready.sh in hooks and repeatable workflows; it exits non-zero if Docker never becomes ready. - Use Case: Before running a test suite that relies on testcontainers or docker compose, use this Skill to confirm Docker is ready or start OrbStack, avoiding confusing container-connection failures. ## Quick Start Use the orbstack skill to check whether OrbStack is running and make Docker ready before running my local integration tests.

Frequently Asked Questions about orbstack

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I check if OrbStack is running on macOS?▼

Run `orbctl status` to check OrbStack state, then `docker info` to confirm Docker is available. If `orbctl` is missing, use `orb status` as a fallback.

How do I make Docker ready before running testcontainers tests?▼

Run the `scripts/ensure-docker-ready.sh` script, which checks `docker info`, starts OrbStack via orbctl, orb, or the app, and waits until Docker responds. It exits non-zero if Docker is not ready within the timeout.

What is the difference between orbctl and orb commands?▼

Prefer `orbctl` when installed and use `orb` as a fallback; both can check status and start OrbStack. Use Docker commands like `docker ps` and `docker logs` only for container-level work.

Why do my local tests fail with Docker connection errors on macOS?▼

Test failures often occur because OrbStack is stopped or Docker has not finished starting. Check `orbctl status`, start OrbStack if needed, and wait for `docker info` to succeed before rerunning tests.

When should I avoid using orbctl reset?▼

Avoid `orbctl reset` unless explicitly requested, because it deletes OrbStack Linux and Docker data. Also avoid stopping or restarting machines unless a local test or dev task is blocked by OrbStack state.

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