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Windows Subsystem for Linux 3.0.1 adds the wslc command, which can pull images, run Linux containers, map ports and build images from PowerShell or Command Prompt. An XDA Developers writer reports setting it up with a WSL update and testing Nvidia GPU access, but wslc lacks built-in Compose support and runs Linux containers only.

Microsoft’s WSL 3.0.1 adds wslc, a command-line tool for pulling and running Linux containers, mapping ports and building images from Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt. In an October 23 report, XDA Developers described updating WSL and launching a test container without installing Docker Desktop, while noting that wslc still lacks built-in Compose support and does not run Windows containers.

According to XDA’s account, users with WSL installed can check their version with wsl –version and update it using wsl –update. On a new Windows 11 installation without WSL, the report says to start with wsl –install. The commands are run from PowerShell or Command Prompt; after the update, wslc version can be used to check that the tool is available.

XDA tested the setup with wslc run –rm hello-world, which pulls a small image and runs a container that prints a greeting. The writer said the test completed in under 10 seconds on their PC, including the image download. That is one user’s result, not a published performance benchmark or a guarantee that every system will behave the same way.

The report also tested GPU access with an Nvidia CUDA image, using the –gpus all option and the container’s nvidia-smi utility. On the writer’s system, the container detected an RTX 4070 Ti Super, 16GB of video memory and the same driver version reported by Windows. XDA then compared a llama.cpp CUDA container with a native llama.cpp run using the same model and settings. The reported generation rates were 124 tokens per second in the container and 128 to 132 tokens per second natively, across two runs for each configuration.

A Smaller Route to Linux Containers

wslc offers a way to run individual Linux containers from Windows’ existing WSL command-line environment, which may suit developers who want to test an image, run a short-lived service or use a GPU-enabled workload without setting up Docker Desktop. Its direct PowerShell and Command Prompt workflow lowers the number of separate tools needed for those tasks, based on the setup described by XDA.

The reported GPU test may interest people running local AI or other CUDA workloads: XDA found that its container could use the Nvidia GPU through the Windows driver already installed on the PC. The measured llama.cpp difference was small in that particular test, but it does not establish performance across other GPUs, models, driver versions or workloads. The practical appeal is the option to run a Linux container with GPU access, not proof that wslc is faster than other container tools.

Whether wslc can replace an existing development setup depends on what that setup requires. Docker Compose and Windows containers remain gaps identified in the report. For people relying on those features, Docker Desktop may still fit better; for users focused on individual Linux containers, wslc provides an alternative to try.

How WSL Adds Container Support

Windows Subsystem for Linux lets users run a Linux environment alongside Windows. The XDA report says Microsoft previously recommended Docker Desktop in its WSL container tutorial, but that the Microsoft Learn page now teaches the wslc workflow. That change places the new command within Microsoft’s own guidance for running containers through WSL.

The described installation depends on having WSL available and updating to a version that includes wslc. The report identifies WSL 3.0.1 or later as the relevant version and says that a fresh Windows 11 setup may first need WSL installed. XDA’s hardware and speed figures come from one machine: a Ryzen 5 7600X system with an RTX 4070 Ti Super. They should be read as a hands-on test, not broad testing of compatibility or performance.

For GPU workloads, the report says WSL passes Nvidia GPU access to Linux using the Windows driver, rather than requiring the writer to install a separate Linux driver or Nvidia Container Toolkit for this test. The actual result will depend on a compatible system and workload; the account does not document tests across different hardware or driver configurations.

“Compose as the most requested wslc feature”

— XDA Developers, describing Microsoft’s stated development priorities

Compose and Compatibility Still Developing

Compose support is not included in the version discussed, and the report does not give a release date for the feature Microsoft is working on. It says the stated aim is to run existing Compose files without changes, but does not establish when that will be available or whether all files will work as intended.

The report is based on one writer’s setup and tests. It does not provide systematic results for other Windows 11 PCs, Nvidia or non-Nvidia GPUs, different container images, or network and port-mapping scenarios. Nor does it compare the full feature sets or costs of wslc and Docker Desktop. The confirmed scope in the report is Linux containers; wslc does not run Windows containers.

Watch for Compose in WSL

The next development to watch is Microsoft’s work on Compose support for wslc. The report says the team is targeting compatibility with existing Compose files, but gives no timing. Until that feature arrives, users whose projects depend on Compose may need to keep using Docker Desktop or another suitable workflow.

For now, users can check their WSL version, update an existing installation, and try a basic container if their system meets their needs. Those considering GPU workloads should verify access on their own hardware rather than relying on the single reported test. Microsoft’s documentation and subsequent WSL releases should clarify the command’s supported features and any changes to its capabilities.

Key Questions

Can I run Linux containers on Windows 11 without Docker Desktop?

According to the XDA report, WSL 3.0.1 adds wslc, which can pull and run Linux containers from PowerShell or Command Prompt without Docker Desktop. It is an option for Linux containers, not Windows containers.

What command installs or updates wslc?

If WSL is already installed, the report says to run wsl –update, then check the command with wslc version. A new Windows 11 setup without WSL may need wsl –install first.

Does wslc support Docker Compose?

Not in the version described. XDA says Microsoft is working on Compose support and wants existing Compose files to run without changes, but no release date is given.

Can wslc containers use an Nvidia GPU?

XDA reported that an Nvidia CUDA container detected the writer’s RTX 4070 Ti Super using the –gpus all option. That is a single-system test, so users should check GPU access on their own hardware and setup.

Source: XDA Developers