Distrobox
Distrobox is a container wrapping layer that uses a container such as Podman, Docker, etc., to run your choice of Linux distribution or GUI apps (both Wayland and X11) from a terminal while enabling the use of the user's $HOME directory and external USB devices and storage. It runs on the Linux kernel natively. As a launcher of containers, it is distinct from WebAssembly (Wasm).
Installation
Installing the distrobox package automatically installs Podman as a dependency upon issuing the command:
# apk add distrobox
Running graphical programs
Configure Podman to run in rootless mode.
Create a container using an image of your choice. Here, Debian is installed using the command:
$ distrobox create --name my-debian --image debian $ distrobox enter my-debian
When Wayland desktop environments like Sway run without xwayland on the Alpine Linux host, electron apps such as code-oss, vscodium, or chromium, etc., need to be started as follows:
$ distrobox enter my-debian -- code --enable-features=UseOzonePlatform,WaylandWindowDecorations --ozone-platform=wayland
If you are running an X11 desktop, it may also be necessary to allow X authorization in order for GUI programs to work:
$ xhost +si:localuser:$USER