Show HN: Smolvm – MicroVMs with CRIU Functionality

Category: infrastructure

Tags: microvm, virtualization, criu, sandbox, ai-agents

Score: 8.0/10 (Innovation: 8, Technical: 9, Documentation: 8, Utility: 7)

Smolvm provides branchable microVMs with checkpoint/restore (CRIU-like) functionality, enabling fast, portable, and secure sandboxing for AI agents and development. It uses libkrun and OCI images to run hardware-isolated VMs with sub-second boot times, a simple SDK, and features like copy-on-write branches, incremental checkpoints, and cross-architecture migration. The project stands out for its embeddable design, no daemon requirement, and strong security model.

Target audience: backend developers, devops, AI engineers, security researchers

Repository: https://smolmachines.com/engineering/branching-and-checkpoint-lineage · Rust · Apache-2.0 · 6785 stars

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