🛠️Encore Ditches Remote Build System for Local Development
Encore ends four years of remote builds on Linux VMs
TL;DR
Encore has switched from a long-running remote build system based on Firecracker microVMs to local development. Engineers can now run builds directly on their laptops without the need for SSH or complex setup scripts.
Encore has ditched its four-year-old remote build system, which relied on Firecracker microVMs running inside a Linux host. The new approach allows developers to run builds locally on their machines, eliminating the need for SSH and complicated setup scripts. This change improves developer productivity by enabling local breakpoints, easier log reading, and faster profiler attachment. The shift was driven by the increasing availability of tools like Lima and Crackling that can run Firecracker inside macOS VMs, making it possible to support both Linux and macOS environments without compromising on performance or security.
Key Points
Firecracker microVMs have been the backbone of Encore's build process since mid-2022, providing isolation and fast startup times.
Encore engineers developed a script to onboard new users by setting up remote machines with Firecracker and necessary tools.
The custom build system required cross-compiling binaries for Linux and transferring them via rsync before running in a VM.
Apple's Virtualization.framework reached version 1.0 this June, enabling seamless integration of Firecracker on macOS without modification.
Crackling is now used to boot OCI images as lightweight Linux VMs on both platforms, ensuring consistent performance across environments.
Why It Matters
If you're an Encore engineer or work with similar build systems, this shift means faster local development cycles and better tool integration. Developers can now run builds directly on their laptops, improving productivity without sacrificing the benefits of containerized environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this matter?
If you're an Encore engineer or work with similar build systems, this shift means faster local development cycles and better tool integration. Developers can now run builds directly on their laptops, improving productivity without sacrificing the benefits of containerized environments.
What happened?
Encore has switched from a long-running remote build system based on Firecracker microVMs to local development. Engineers can now run builds directly on their laptops without the need for SSH or complex setup scripts.
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