A Vagrant box is a specific package format for containing Vagrant environments. A Vagrant box file uses the .box file extension. A Vagrant box can be used with any platform and system that Vagrant supports to create the same environment by following the steps in the box file.
A Vagrant box file is made up of three components: box file, box metadata, and box information. These components help package everything you need into one file. Various parts of these components are used by Vagrant when using and installing a new box to create the correct environment. Let's dive into the three components and see what each one does.