/import-compose

name: import-compose
description: Import Docker Compose files into Kurtosis. Convert docker-compose.yml to Starlark packages or run them directly. Use when migrating existing Docker Compose workflows to Kurtosis.
compatibility: Requires kurtosis CLI with a running engine.
metadata:
  author: ethpandaops
  version: "1.0"

Import Compose

Import Docker Compose files into Kurtosis, either running them directly or converting to Starlark.

Run a Docker Compose file

kurtosis import docker-compose.yml

This creates an enclave and runs all services defined in the Compose file.

Run with a named enclave

kurtosis import -n my-enclave docker-compose.yml

Convert only (don't run)

Generate Starlark code from a Compose file without executing:

kurtosis import -c docker-compose.yml

This outputs Starlark that you can save and customize.

Custom .env file

kurtosis import -e ./custom.env docker-compose.yml

Default is `.env` in the current directory.

Supported Compose features

Most common Compose features are supported:

• Services with images
• Port mappings
• Environment variables
• Volumes (converted to file artifacts)
• Depends-on (converted to service ordering)
• Networks (Kurtosis handles networking automatically)

Limitations

• Build directives are not supported (images must be pre-built)
• Some advanced networking features may not translate directly
• Volume mounts become file artifacts (not persistent volumes)