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GhostWriters/DockSTARTer

A shell-based terminal tool that helps you install Docker and set up and manage self-hosted apps as Docker Compose stacks.

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What is it?

DockSTARTer aims to make it quick and easy to get started with running applications in Docker. It provides an interactive text menu, launched with the ds command, where you pick apps to run, set their configuration variables, and start the containers.

The project supports a range of Linux distributions that use APK, APT, DNF, Pacman, or YUM, as well as macOS through Homebrew. Its install script sets up the prerequisites on these systems. It also offers a command-line interface for scripted use alongside the menu.

Users can rely on DockSTARTer to manage their Docker setup, or use it as a starting point for learning more advanced Docker Compose configuration.

Key features

  • 01Interactive terminal menu for choosing apps and editing their settings
  • 02Install script covering Alpine, Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, CentOS and macOS
  • 03Command-line interface for non-interactive use
  • 04Guided full setup that walks through app selection and container startup

Use cases

  • Setting up a home media server or HTPC with Docker on a fresh Linux machine
  • Running self-hosted apps on a Raspberry Pi or other homelab hardware
  • Learning how Docker Compose configurations are structured

Quick start

  1. 1

    Install curl and git with your system's package manager

  2. 2

    Clone the DockSTARTer repository

    git clone https://github.com/GhostWriters/DockSTARTer "/home/${USER}/.dockstarter"
  3. 3

    Run the initial setup, then reboot the machine

    bash /home/"${USER}"/.dockstarter/main.sh -vi
  4. 4

    Start DockSTARTer and open the main menu

    ds

Things to know

  • The standard one-line installer downloads a script in a way the README itself flags as carrying known security risks.
  • You must be logged in as a non-root user with sudo permissions.

In collections

Self-hosted apps

Topics

#docker#docker-compose#self-hosted#homelab#shell#htpc#linux#debian#raspbian#ubuntu

FAQ

What is DockSTARTer?
A shell-based terminal tool that helps you install Docker and set up and manage self-hosted apps as Docker Compose stacks. DockSTARTer aims to make it quick and easy to get started with running applications in Docker. It provides an interactive text menu, launched with the ds command, where you pick apps to run, set their configuration variables, and start the containers.
Is DockSTARTer free to use? What license does it have?
DockSTARTer is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is DockSTARTer still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to DockSTARTer was on Oct 21, 2026.
What can I use DockSTARTer for?
Setting up a home media server or HTPC with Docker on a fresh Linux machine Running self-hosted apps on a Raspberry Pi or other homelab hardware Learning how Docker Compose configurations are structured
How do I install DockSTARTer?
Install curl and git with your system's package manager Clone the DockSTARTer repository: git clone https://github.com/GhostWriters/DockSTARTer "/home/${USER}/.dockstarter" Run the initial setup, then reboot the machine: bash /home/"${USER}"/.dockstarter/main.sh -vi Start DockSTARTer and open the main menu: ds
Where can I get DockSTARTer?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/GhostWriters/DockSTARTer

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