Here is the step-by-step guide to correctly install and configure OpenShift Local (CRC) on macOS laptops or desktops for local OpenShift 4.x development.
🍎 OpenShift Local on macOS – Overview
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Tool Name | OpenShift Local (CLI tool: crc) |
| Runs | Single-node OpenShift 4.x cluster |
| Virtualization | Uses Apple’s Hypervisor.framework (no VirtualBox required) |
| Use Case | Ideal for local development, testing OpenShift apps, and CLI practice |
✅ System Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum (Recommended) |
|---|---|
| OS | macOS Monterey (12.x) or later |
| CPU | 4 cores |
| RAM | 9 GB (16 GB recommended) |
| Disk Space | 35+ GB free |
| Virtualization | Must be enabled (Apple Silicon/Intel supported) |
| Tools Included | crc, oc (OpenShift CLI), VM image |
🧰 Step 1: Download OpenShift Local & Pull Secret
- Visit: https://console.redhat.com/openshift/create/local
- Sign in with your Red Hat account (create a free one if needed).
- Download:
openshift-local.pkg(installer for macOS)- Pull Secret file → Save it as
pull-secret.txt
💻 Step 2: Install OpenShift Local (CRC)
- Double-click
openshift-local.pkgto begin the installation. - Follow the macOS installer prompts.
- After installation, open Terminal and verify:
crc version
You should see the version (e.g., 2.49.0) and OpenShift version (e.g., 4.18.x).
🔧 Step 3: Set Up the Cluster
In Terminal:
crc setup --pull-secret ~/Downloads/pull-secret.txt
Replace the path if your pull-secret is stored elsewhere.
This command:
- Sets up the Hypervisor VM
- Prepares OpenShift environment
- Installs the CRC bundle
▶️ Step 4: Start the OpenShift Cluster
Run:
crc start
- This launches a single-node OpenShift 4 cluster.
- The process may take 5–15 minutes depending on your hardware.
- Once done, you’ll see:
Started the OpenShift cluster
Console URL: https://console-openshift-console.apps-crc.testing
🌐 Step 5: Access OpenShift Web Console
Open the printed URL:
https://console-openshift-console.apps-crc.testing
Login Credentials:
| Role | Username | Password |
|---|---|---|
| Admin | kubeadmin | Shown in terminal |
| Developer | developer | developer |
🧪 Step 6: Access via oc CLI (Optional)
To set up the OpenShift CLI environment:
eval $(crc oc-env)
Then login:
oc login -u developer -p developer https://api.crc.testing:6443
Now you can deploy, test, and manage apps from your terminal.
🔁 Cluster Management Commands
| Action | Command |
|---|---|
| Stop cluster | crc stop |
| Delete cluster | crc delete |
| Status | crc status |
⚠️ Troubleshooting Tips
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| DNS resolution fails | Disable VPN; retry browser or oc with correct URL |
| CRC fails to start | Check RAM/CPU availability and make sure no conflicting VMs |
crc command not found | Reboot or re-add /usr/local/bin to your shell $PATH |
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