VirtualizationKit

VirtualizationKit is a macOS framework for easy virtualization, that aims to accommodate different back-ends (for example, Apple Virtualization and QEMU). The primary goal is to offer a streamlined interface to manage virtual machines without needing to deal with the higher complexity that comes with standard virtualization solutions.

Tesseract ❤️ VirtualizationKit

VirtualizationKit is the underlying engine powering Tesseract, the macOS virtual machine manager designed to simplify and streamline virtualization on Apple Silicon. Tesseract relies on this framework to configure and run virtual machines, avoiding the complexity of low-level APIs. If you're here because of Tesseract, this framework is essentially the core technology that makes the app possible.

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Design Implications

• A minimal and simple to use API that wraps the complexity of virtualization and reduces boilerplate code.
• Defaults that “just work” for the majority of use cases, from basic Linux VMs to more complex setups.
• Avoids redundancy, by not replicating advanced scenarios and use cases from the various back-ends.
• Currently optimized around Apple Virtualization. Broader hypervisor support is on the roadmap.

Tip

Target Audience

• Developers new to Virtualization: Gentle learning curve for those unfamiliar with system-level APIs.
• Teams seeking quick setup: When spinning up VMs should be simple and repeatable, without fuss.
• Users wanting abstraction: Consistent, streamlined API over multiple vendor-specific solutions.

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Potential API Design Goals

Warning

To be able to use this framework, please make sure your system meets the following requirements:

• Processor: Apple Silicon (M1, M2, or newer)
• Operating System: macOS Sonoma 14.0 or later

Helper Objects and Methods

• Encapsulate complex tasks in user-friendly functions and data structures.

Example (using Apple as a concrete backend and Combine for state subscriptions):

import VirtualizationKit
import Combine

// 1. Create a simple template
let myAwesomeTemplate = Template(
    name: "MySampleVM",
    operatingSystem: .linux,
    networkTopology: .nat(),
    performancePreset: .balanced
)

// 2. Initialize an Apple-based VM
let vm = AppleVirtualMachine(template: myAwesomeTemplate)

// 3. Subscribe to state updates
var cancellables = Set<AnyCancellable>()
vm.stateSubject
    .sink { state in
        switch state {
        case .install(let progress): print("Installation at: \(progress)")
        case .running:               print("VM is running")
        case .stopped:               print("VM stopped")
        }
    }
    .store(in: &cancellables)

// 4. Perform installation asynchronously
Task {
    do {
        try await vm.execute(action: .install)
        print("Installation completed successfully!")
    } catch {
        print("Installation failed: \(error.localizedDescription)")
    }
}

Simplified Management

• Ready-to-use configurations for common virtualization needs—like typical CPU, memory, and disk settings.

• Mask low-level error codes with approachable descriptions and actionable suggestions.

  Example:

  do {
      try await vm.execute(command: .start)
  
  } catch {
  
      // Prints an error description that is actually useful like
      // "The Virtual Machine has been created using a  macOS 15.2
      //  restore image, but the currently selected image’s version is 12.6"
      print("Failed to start VM: \(error.localizedDescription)")
  }