Installation Errors and Solutions

Error: sysctl fs.inotify.max_user_watches is only 155693 but must be at least 524288

Cause

This error occurs because the current value of fs.inotify.max_user_watches is too low. This setting controls the maximum number of file watches that a user can create.

Solution

To resolve this error, you need to increase the value of fs.inotify.max_user_watches. Follow the steps below:

For Rancher Desktop

1. Open the configuration file:

   vi "~/Library/Application Support/rancher-desktop/lima/_config/override.yaml"
   

2. Add the following script to the provision section:

   provision:
   - mode: system
     script: |
       #!/bin/sh
       echo "fs.inotify.max_user_watches=1048576" > /etc/sysctl.d/fs.inotify.conf
       echo "fs.inotify.max_user_instances=1024" >> /etc/sysctl.d/fs.inotify.conf
       sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.d/fs.inotify.conf
   

3. Restart Rancher Desktop.

For Docker Runtimes

1. Create a new configuration file:

   sudo vi /etc/sysctl.d/99-sysctl.conf
   

2. Add the following lines:

   fs.inotify.max_user_watches=1048576
   fs.inotify.max_user_instances=1024
   

3. Apply the changes:

   sudo sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.d/99-sysctl.conf
   

More details can be found here.