bostrot/wsl2-distro-manager

GUI for the Windows Subsystem for Linux — and native Linux/macOS VMs on Mac. Install, back up, move and configure distros without CLI flags; AI assistant with tools, MCP server for agents, remote WSL over SSH.

What it solves

WSL Distro Manager provides a graphical user interface for managing the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and native Linux/macOS virtual machines on macOS. It eliminates the need to memorize complex command-line flags for installing, copying, moving, and backing up distributions, while adding advanced capabilities like disk compaction and AI-driven environment management.

How it works

The application acts as a management layer over wsl.exe on Windows and Apple's Virtualization framework on macOS. It allows users to manage rootfs images, Docker images, and LXC containers as distros. For its advanced AI features, it implements a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that exposes WSL/VM tools to AI agents, allowing them to perform actual operations (like installing distros or editing configs) rather than just providing text advice. It supports "Bring Your Own AI Key" for OpenAI-compatible endpoints.

Who it’s for

Developers and power users on Windows and macOS who want a visual way to manage their Linux environments, as well as AI engineers who want to give LLM agents the ability to safely operate and configure their local virtualization environments.

Highlights

  • Comprehensive Distro Management: Install, rename, move, back up, and compact virtual disks to reclaim space.
  • AI Agent Integration: Includes a built-in AI assistant and an MCP server that lets external clients like Claude Desktop and Claude Code drive the WSL environment.
  • AI Sandboxing: Ability to spin up isolated, throwaway Ubuntu distros that AI agents can access without seeing the host system.
  • Cross-Platform VM Support: Native Linux and macOS guest VM management on Apple Silicon via Apple's Virtualization framework.
  • Remote Management: Manage WSL on different machines via SSH or a web-based dashboard accessible via QR code.

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