kayfabe

Share an NVIDIA GPU with virtual machines that run the stock NVIDIA driver, while the host keeps using it.

Run a Windows app or a Linux CUDA job without giving up your desktop.

Research project. Windows is not stable and there is no installer yet. Build from source.

Read the manual View the source

Windows 11 and a Linux desktop using one RTX 4070, on two monitors. — Windows 11 on the right. Linux on the left. One machine, one RTX 4070.

What it is for

A Windows app on Linux

Keep your Linux desktop while a Windows VM runs the app.

CUDA in its own VM

Give a Linux job its own kernel and driver version.

A fresh VM for each test

Boot it, use the GPU, then throw it away.

What is different

The host keeps the card. The VM uses NVIDIA's own driver, with no driver patch or vGPU licence server. Kayfabe runs as an ordinary program on the host driver. Compare the options.

Where it stands

Linux desktops and CUDA jobs run. Windows 11 runs real 3D apps.
Windows is not stable. Sleep, wake and video playback still have problems.
Research project. There is no installer yet. Build from source.
Not security audited. Use one VM per card for now.

What works today · Benchmarks and their limits

Try it

For developers who can build Rust and QEMU. Start with the requirements and build guide.

Requirements · Build guide · Questions and bugs · Security