← Back to Resources
Prerequisite

Install Docker

Docker lets you run software in lightweight, isolated "containers" — pre-packaged environments that include everything a program needs, without installing all of it directly on your computer. The Local IntelliSense Kit below needs Docker Desktop installed first.

New here?

This page is optional and aimed at more advanced setups. If you're just getting started with coding, you don't need Docker at all — head over to New to Coding? Start Here instead.

Free for personal use, education, and small teams

Download Docker Desktop

Setup

  1. Go to Docker Desktop and download the installer for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux).
  2. Run the installer and follow the prompts, using the defaults.
  3. Open Docker Desktop and wait for it to report that it's running (the whale icon in your system tray/menu bar stops animating).
  4. Verify it worked by opening a terminal (on Windows, this is Command Prompt or PowerShell; on Mac, it's the Terminal app) and running docker --version — you should see a version number, not a "command not found" error.
Larger organizations may need a paid Docker subscription — see Docker's pricing page for current terms. For personal or student use, the free tier covers this.