Claude Cowork: Seamless Linux VMs with Apple Virtualization Framework
For years, running Linux on macOS was a compromise. We traded battery life for Docker Desktop's convenience or performance for QEMU's compatibility. But with the advent of Apple Silicon and the maturity of the Apple Virtualization Framework (AVF) , the landscape has shifted permanently. We no longer need heavy, kernel-extension-laden hypervisors to achieve near-native speeds. This guide introduces "Claude Cowork"—a concept workflow and technical deep dive into building a seamless, high-performance Linux VMs Apple Virtualization environment. Designed for expert SREs and kernel engineers, we will bypass the GUI abstractions and look at how Virtualization.framework (VZ), Virtio drivers, and Rosetta 2 allow us to run Linux guests with unprecedented efficiency on M-series chips. Table of Contents The Architecture: Virtualization.framework (VZ) vs. Hypervisor.framework Virtio Everywhere: The Secret to...