Self-hosting
Overview
Docker vs native, supported platforms, and what to expect.
A self-hosted Motion box runs the same workspace software as a cloud one and dials home over a tunnel. You choose how it runs:
Docker vs Native
Docker (isolated)
Runs in a Linux container. Cleanest isolation; great when you just want a sandbox. Works anywhere Docker Desktop runs (incl. macOS & Windows).
Native (on the host)
Runs directly on the machine — your real files, your real shell, no Docker. The lightweight 'on the machine itself' option.
- Use Docker for a clean, isolated sandbox, or on macOS/Windows where you already run Docker Desktop.
- Use Native (
--host) when you want the IDE/terminal to be the machine itself — real paths, the real user, no container layer.
Platform support
| Platform | Docker | Native |
|---|---|---|
| Linux x64 / arm64 | ✅ | ✅ |
| macOS arm64 / x64 | ✅ (Docker Desktop) | ✅ (shell install) |
| Windows x64 | ✅ (Docker Desktop) | ✅ (connect.ps1) |
Native bundles are self-contained — they carry their own daemon, web server, and Node runtime, so the host needs nothing pre-installed (Linux needs glibc ≥ 2.36, i.e. Ubuntu 24.04+/Debian 12+).