Illegal instruction when using duckdb in docker sandboxes

[alxthm]

What happens?

When trying to use the duckdb python client inside a docker sandbox, I'm encountering an Illegal instruction error:

>>> import duckdb
Illegal instruction

As I understand, the docker sandbox is basically a microVM. The host OS is macOS.

To Reproduce

Follow docker sandbox instructions to create a sandbox, and open a shell inside it:

docker sandbox exec -it codex-jzn bash

(codex-jzn is simply the sandbox name)

Inside the sandbox, create a virtual env and install duckdb:

agent@codex-jzn:~$ uv venv && source .venv/bin/activate
Using CPython 3.12.12
(agent) agent@codex-jzn:~$ uv pip install duckdb
Resolved 1 package in 486ms
Prepared 1 package in 527ms
Installed 1 package in 227ms
 + duckdb==1.5.1

Then, trying to import duckdb will fail:

(agent) agent@codex-jzn:~$ python
Python 3.12.12 (main, Jan 14 2026, 19:35:10) [Clang 21.1.4 ] on linux
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import duckdb
Illegal instruction

Note: I also tried different versions of duckdb, same issue.

OS:

microVM: 6.12.67-linuxkit, aarch64 / host OS: macOS Version 26.3.1, arm64

DuckDB Package Version:

1.5.1

Python Version:

3.12

Full Name:

Alexandre Thomas

Affiliation:

/

What is the latest build you tested with? If possible, we recommend testing with the latest nightly build.

I have tested with a stable release

Did you include all relevant data sets for reproducing the issue?

Not applicable - the reproduction does not require a data set

Did you include all code required to reproduce the issue?

• Yes, I have

Did you include all relevant configuration to reproduce the issue?

• Yes, I have