Kentico using Docker for macOS.

This project provides a generic workflow to set up a local Kentico database using Docker, Microsoft SQL Server, and a Kentico database backup (bacpac file).

We have only tested this on macOS Sequoia 15.6.* with an Apple M1 (ARM) Processor. It hopefully works on Intel and other macOS versions but may require some tweaks. If you do run into issues feel free to submit a pull request with any updates and include the OS version and CPU type you've tested it on.

This uses a local copy of sqlpackage rather than trying to get it working in Docker. The scripts will automatically install the following things as needed:

1. sqlpackage from Microsoft into a sqlpackage/ folder in your project directory. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/tools/sqlpackage/sqlpackage

2. unixODBC, Microsoft ODBC Driver 18 for SQL Server, and mssql-tools https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/unixodbc. https://github.com/Microsoft/homebrew-mssql-release.

3. Rosetta (if your CPU is ARM) due to the local sqlpackage being an amd-64 binary. https://support.apple.com/en-nz/102527

Prerequisites

1. Docker Desktop running https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/

2. Homebrew (for ODBC driver install) https://brew.sh/

3. Make if you wish to use the Makefile for convenience. Part of the Xcode command line tools: https://developer.apple.com/xcode/resources/

Quick Start

#1. Make scripts executable
chmod +x scripts/*.sh

#2. Install sqlpackage locally
./scripts/get_sqlpackage.sh

#3. Install mssql-tools, unixODBC, and Microsoft ODBC Driver
./scripts/setup_odbc_mac.sh 

#4. Launch Docker Desktop. Spotlight: "Docker" or run: 
open -a Docker
# If your CPU is ARM - Double check under [Settings] -> [General] -> Scroll to 
# [Virtual Machine Options]. Ensure [Apple Virtualization Framework] is selected and 
# under that [Use Rosetta for emulation] is enabled.

# 5. Start SQL Server locally
./scripts/start_sqlserver.sh

# 6. Import your bacpac into a new DB
./scripts/import_bacpac_local.sh YourBackup.bacpac KenticoLocal

# 7. Verify everything is working 
  docker exec -it mssql-kentico /opt/mssql-tools18/bin/sqlcmd \
    -S localhost -U sa -P 'YourStrong!Passw0rd' -C -Q "SELECT name FROM sys.databases;"

Key Files / Scripts

• YourBackup.bacpac (your Kentico database backup)
• scripts/start_sqlserver.sh (start SQL Server container)
• scripts/import_bacpac_local.sh (import bacpac using local sqlpackage binary)
• scripts/get_sqlpackage.sh (download sqlpackage for macOS)
• scripts/teardown_sqlserver.sh (stop/remove SQL Server container)
• scripts/setup_odbc_mac.sh (install unixODBC using brew install)

Update Makefile Variables

Before running the Makefile targets, you may want to update the following variables in the Makefile to match your environment:

• BACPAC – the path or filename of your Kentico database backup (default: YourBackup.bacpac)
• DB – the name of the database to create/import (default: KenticoLocal)
• SA_PASSWORD – the SQL Server system administrator password (default: YourStrong!Passw0rd)
• CONTAINER – the name for the SQL Server Docker container (default: mssql-kentico)
• SERVER – the SQL Server host and port (default: host.docker.internal,1433)

You can edit these directly in the Makefile, or override them at runtime:

make import BACPAC=MyBackup.bacpac DB=MyKenticoDB SA_PASSWORD='MyPassword123!'

How It Works

1. SQL Server runs locally in Docker: mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2022-latest.
2. Bacpac database backup is imported via the local sqlpackage install.
3. Database queries using mssql-tools (sqlcmd) for example:

Start an interactive session (run SQL commands like SELECT * FROM sys.tables;) docker exec -it mssql-kentico /opt/mssql-tools18/bin/sqlcmd -C -S localhost -U sa -P 'YourStrong!Passw0rd' -d KenticoLocal

Run a one-off query and return results: docker exec -it mssql-kentico /opt/mssql-tools18/bin/sqlcmd -C -S localhost -U sa -P 'YourStrong!Passw0rd' -d KenticoLocal -Q "SELECT TOP 10 * FROM CMS_User;"

Apple Silicon (arm64) Notes

The official mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server image is amd64-only.

Run Docker Desktop: It transparently emulates amd64. Just run make start.

macOS should prompt to install Rosetta when you install or run sqlinstance but if not you can run: softwareupdate --install-rosetta --agree-to-license

macOS ODBC

Run the helper script (installs unixODBC + msodbcsql18 + mssql-tools18):

scripts/setup_odbc_mac.sh

Manual install:

brew install unixodbc
brew tap microsoft/mssql-release https://github.com/Microsoft/homebrew-mssql-release ACCEPT_EULA=Y 
brew install msodbcsql18 mssql-tools18

Verify driver:

odbcinst -q -d | grep 'ODBC Driver 18'

sqlpackage (Import Tool)

To install sqlpackage, use one of the following options:

Automatically:

scripts/get_sqlpackage.sh

This script will download and unpack the latest sqlpackage tool for macOS into ./sqlpackage/.

Manual install:

1. Download the macOS (Intel) sqlpackage zip from Microsoft Docs: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/tools/sqlpackage-download
2. Unzip into ./sqlpackage/ so the binary is at ./sqlpackage/sqlpackage.
3. Use the import script as normal.

Apple silicon requires Rosetta (for Intel binaries). macOS should prompt to install it, but if not you can run: softwareupdate --install-rosetta --agree-to-license

Example Make Targets & Shortcuts

make start                # start container
make import-local         # local sqlpackage import
make sqlcmd               # interactive sqlcmd to $(DB)
make help                 # list all targets