---
title: Multipass
description: Multipass is a CLI to launch and manage VMs on Windows, Mac and Linux
  that simulates a cloud environment with support for cloud-init. Get Ubuntu on-demand
  with clean integration to your IDE and version control on your native platform.
url: https://canonical.com/multipass?format=md
keywords: microcloud, scalable cloude, cloud infrastructure
---

# Ubuntu VMs on demand for any workstation

Get an instant Ubuntu VM with a single command.
Multipass can launch and run virtual machines and configure them with [cloud-init](https://cloud-init.io/) like a public cloud.

[Install now](https://canonical.com/multipass/install)

---

## Cloud-style VMs at your fingertips

Spin up cloud instances with a single command

Launch instances of Ubuntu and [initialise them with cloud-init metadata](https://ubuntu.com/blog/using-cloud-init-with-multipass)
in the same way you would on AWS, Azure, Google, IBM and Oracle. Simulate your own cloud deployment on your workstation.

---

## VMs for Windows, macOS and Linux

Start Ubuntu VMs with each platform's native hypervisor

Multipass uses Hyper-V on Windows, QEMU on macOS and Linux for minimal overhead and the fastest possible start time.
[Switching your hypervisor to Virtualbox](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/multipass/latest/how-to-guides/customise-multipass/set-up-the-driver/) is a breeze.

---

## Get started with Ubuntu the fast way

The “Ubuntu Server CLI cheat sheet” is your fast path to learning the Linux command line - from basic file management to deploying Kubernetes and OpenStack.

[Download cheat sheet](https://assets.ubuntu.com/v1/3bd0daaf-Ubuntu%20Server%20CLI%20cheat%20sheet%202024%20v6.pdf)

---

### Optimised VM performance

Multipass uses images tuned for cloud usage. Each image has software baked in with all the tools to deploy a cloud.

Most notably cloud-init, a tool with utilities to initialize cloud instances. Pass multipass a custom cloud-init definition and turn a generic Ubuntu image into a custom-configured server in seconds.

---

[Learn more about cloud-init](https://cloud-init.io/)

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### Designed for developer convenience

Share files and folders between your host and your instances.

Your ‘primary’ instance gets special treatment with integration to your native filesystem and dedicated hot-key access.

Multipass automatically fetches the latest Ubuntu images from Canonical, minimising initial update time.

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### A curated catalogue of images

Multipass is growing a catalogue of images to initialise pre-installed applications to get started with a single command. Want to integrate your project?

[Explore Multipass on Discourse](https://discourse.ubuntu.com/c/multipass/21)

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## Appliances in VMs

Ubuntu Appliance images to try before you Pi

Run a Virtual Ubuntu Appliance on your workstation without affecting your existing system. No need for spare hardware, just follow the steps and you’ll be up and running in minutes.

[Try Ubuntu appliances](https://ubuntu.com/appliance/vm)

---

## Join our community

Multipass is built by a team of engineers at Canonical and a community of contributors. We appreciate your interest in Multipass,
and if you want to join the discussion or contribute, come and say hi. We don’t bite.

[Join on GitHub](https://github.com/canonical/multipass)
[Join our Discourse forum](https://discourse.ubuntu.com/c/multipass/21)