Depot Docker Plugin: Resolving Configuration Errors

Are you encountering issues when trying to configure the Depot Docker plugin, especially after updating to Docker version 29.0.0? You're not alone! Many users have reported a specific error message when running depot configure-docker, indicating a version mismatch between the Docker client and the daemon. This article will guide you through understanding this problem and provide solutions to get your Docker builds back on track.

Understanding the depot configure-docker Error

The core of the problem lies in the error message: Error: could not configure buildx: unable create driver container: unable to download image: unable to download image: Error response from daemon: client version 1.43 is too old. Minimum supported API version is 1.44, please upgrade your client to a newer version. This clearly points to a discrepancy in API versions. When Docker itself is updated, specifically to version 29.0.0, its client and daemon might start communicating using a newer API version (1.44 in this case). If the tools interacting with Docker, like the Depot plugin, are not yet updated to support this newer API, they will fail. This is precisely what happens when you try to use depot configure-docker with Docker 29.0.0; the plugin attempts to use an older API version that the new Docker daemon no longer supports, leading to the configuration failure. It’s a common scenario in the fast-paced world of software development where components are constantly updated. Ensuring compatibility between different tools and versions is crucial for a smooth workflow. The docker/setup-docker-action@v4 action, by default, installs the latest stable version of Docker, which at the time of this issue, was likely 29.0.0 or a version that triggered this API incompatibility. The depot configure-docker command essentially tries to set up Docker's buildx builder, which is a critical component for modern Docker workflows, especially when using remote builders or advanced build strategies that Depot leverages. When this setup fails, any subsequent build commands that rely on buildx will also fail, halting your CI/CD pipeline or local development process. The error message itself is quite informative, stating that the client version 1.43 is too old and requires at least 1.44. This means the software making the API calls (in this case, the Depot plugin's interaction with Docker) needs to be updated to speak the same language as the new Docker daemon. It’s a reminder that dependencies matter, and keeping everything in sync is key to avoiding these types of frustrating roadblocks. The good news is that this issue is usually resolved with updates from the respective tool maintainers.

Reproducing the Issue: A Minimal Workflow Example

To help diagnose and confirm this problem, a minimal GitHub Actions workflow can be used. The provided example demonstrates how to reliably trigger the error. By default, the docker/setup-docker-action@v4 will install the latest Docker version, which, as of recent updates, includes Docker 29.0.0. When this action runs, it sets up Docker, and then the depot/setup-action@v1 is used to install the Depot CLI. The subsequent depot configure-docker command, executed with environment variables for authentication (DEPOT_TOKEN and DEPOT_PROJECT_ID), is where the failure occurs. The workflow looks like this:

name: Depot test

on:
  workflow_dispatch:

jobs:
  depot-test:
    name: depot-test
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest

    steps:
      - name: Setup Docker
        id: docker
        uses: docker/setup-docker-action@v4
#        with:
#          version: 28.5.1

      - name: Set up Depot CLI
        uses: depot/setup-action@v1

      - name: Install Depot as a docker plugin
        env:
          DEPOT_TOKEN: "xxx"
          DEPOT_PROJECT_ID: "xxx"
        run: depot configure-docker

This setup is concise and effective for isolating the issue. If you uncomment the version: 28.5.1 line under the Setup Docker step, the workflow will succeed, confirming that the problem is indeed tied to the specific Docker version. This reproduction step is invaluable for developers seeking to verify the bug and for maintainers to test their fixes. It highlights the importance of version pinning in CI/CD pipelines when specific tool versions are known to cause issues. While pinning to an older version works, the ultimate goal is to have the latest versions of both Docker and Depot function seamlessly together. This minimal example serves as a proof of concept, clearly showing the dependency conflict between Docker 29.0.0 and the older API client used by the Depot plugin at that time. It’s a straightforward way to communicate the problem to the Depot team and confirm that the environment setup in GitHub Actions is indeed the trigger. The fact that downgrading Docker resolves the issue is a strong indicator that the compatibility layer between Docker's API and the Depot CLI needs an update. This workflow is the perfect starting point for anyone experiencing this specific problem.

The Root Cause: API Version Mismatch

The root cause of the depot configure-docker failure with Docker 29.0.0 is an API version mismatch. Docker, like many complex systems, communicates using a well-defined API. This API evolves over time, with new versions introducing new features or changing how existing ones work. Docker 29.0.0, with its updated daemon, requires clients to use a minimum API version of 1.44. The depot configure-docker command, when it runs, attempts to interact with the Docker daemon to configure the buildx builder. However, if the Depot CLI or its underlying components haven't been updated to support Docker's API version 1.44, they will continue to use an older version, such as 1.43. When the Docker 29.0.0 daemon receives a request using the older API version 1.43, it rejects it with the error message you've seen: client version 1.43 is too old. Minimum supported API version is 1.44. This means the communication protocol between the Depot plugin and the Docker daemon is out of sync. The plugin is speaking an older dialect of the Docker language that the new daemon no longer understands or supports. This is a common challenge when dealing with rapidly developing software ecosystems. Tools that integrate deeply with others, like Docker plugins, need to be updated in lockstep with their host applications. The docker/setup-docker-action is designed to provide the latest stable Docker, which is great for security and features, but it can sometimes outpace the compatibility of integrated tools. The depot configure-docker command is essentially a convenience wrapper that automates the setup of Docker's Buildx, which is essential for managing builders and improving build performance and flexibility. When this command fails due to an API mismatch, it prevents the Depot CLI from effectively leveraging Docker's advanced build capabilities. The solution, therefore, involves ensuring that the Depot CLI is updated to a version that is compatible with Docker's API version 1.44 or higher. This update would involve the Depot team modifying their CLI to correctly communicate with the newer Docker daemon, effectively bridging the API gap. Until such an update is released, the workaround of downgrading Docker remains the most immediate solution.

Temporary Solution: Downgrading Docker

While the ideal solution is for the Depot CLI to be updated to support the latest Docker API versions, a temporary workaround is to downgrade the Docker version in your CI environment. As demonstrated in the minimal workflow example, by uncommenting the version: 28.5.1 line within the docker/setup-docker-action@v4 step, you can explicitly instruct the action to install an older, compatible version of Docker. This effectively sidesteps the API version mismatch issue because Docker 28.5.1 (or earlier versions before the API change) will still support the older client API version that the current Depot plugin is using.

- name: Setup Docker
  id: docker
  uses: docker/setup-docker-action@v4
  with:
    version: 28.5.1 # Downgrade to a compatible version

This approach allows your builds to proceed without interruption while you wait for an official fix from the Depot team. It's a common practice in DevOps to pin specific versions of critical dependencies in CI/CD pipelines to ensure stability and prevent unexpected breakages due to upstream updates. However, it's important to remember that this is a temporary measure. Relying on older versions of software can mean missing out on new features, performance improvements, and crucial security patches. Therefore, it's recommended to regularly check for updates to the Depot CLI and revert to using the latest Docker version once compatibility is confirmed.

The Path Forward: Updating the Depot CLI

The long-term and recommended solution is for the Depot CLI to be updated to support the latest Docker API versions, specifically version 1.44 and above. This involves the maintainers of the Depot project releasing a new version of their CLI tool that is aware of and compatible with the API changes introduced in Docker 29.0.0. When an updated version of the Depot CLI is available, you will be able to remove the Docker version pinning from your docker/setup-docker-action step and allow it to install the latest Docker version once again. This ensures you benefit from the most recent features, performance enhancements, and security updates from both Docker and Depot.

Keep an eye on the official Depot release notes and GitHub repository for announcements regarding updates. Once an updated CLI is released, simply update the depot/setup-action in your workflow (if a new version of the action is released) or ensure your project is using the latest compatible Depot CLI version. After updating, you can test your workflow without the version override in the Docker setup step. This ensures your build environment is always running on the latest stable and secure software.

Conclusion

Encountering configuration errors with tools like depot configure-docker after updating Docker can be a frustrating experience. The API version mismatch between Docker 29.0.0 and older Depot CLI versions is the primary culprit. While downgrading Docker provides a quick fix, the ultimate goal is to leverage the latest software. By staying informed about Depot CLI updates, you can ensure seamless integration and benefit from the most current features and security patches. Remember to check the official Depot documentation for the latest information and support.