Build options for multi-architecture container images

How can I build multi-architecture container images?

Building multi-architecture container images for complex projects is challenging.

There are two common ways to build multi-architecture images, and both are explained in Learn how to use Docker .

Use instruction emulation

The first method uses instruction emulation. You can learn about this method in Build multi-architecture images with Docker buildx . The drawback of emulation is slow performance, especially for complex builds which involve tasks such as compiling large C++ applications.

Use a manifest and multiple computers

The second method uses multiple computers, one for each architecture, and joins the images to create a multi-architecture image using Docker manifest. You can learn about this method in Use Docker manifest to create multi-architecture images . The drawback of the manifest method is its complexity as it requires multiple systems.

Arm-hosted runners

Arm-hosted runners from GitHub provide a way to create multi-architecture images with higher performance and lower complexity compared to the two methods described above.

When you use Arm-hosted runners, you don’t need to worry about self-hosting (managing servers) or instruction emulation (slow performance).