DockSTARTer

Q: How to stop DockSTARTer from re-adding a deleted port when moving it to Gluetun?

The port is re-added because DS regenerates `.env` based on the app's network settings. To move a port to Gluetun, connect the app to the Gluetun network and ignore its port variables (set them to empty or leave as default). Then add the port mapping to the Gluetun container via the override file. For example, in the override file: ```yaml services: gluetun: ports: - ${QBITTORRENT__PORT_8080?}:8080 - ${PROWLARR__PORT_9696?}:9696 ``` This keeps the external port controllable in `.env` while exposing it through Gluetun. The `ds --env-set` command cannot directly add ports to an override file, so manual editing is required.

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A menu-driven tool that automates Docker & Docker Compose setup and lets you deploy self-hosted apps with a few selections.

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One command to install Docker, a menu to pick apps — home server made easy.

Core Features

Automated Docker and Docker Compose installation
Interactive terminal menu for selecting apps and configuring variables
Dozens of pre-configured apps for media, download, cloud, monitoring, etc.
Supports multiple Linux distros and macOS with a single install command
Generates repeatable docker-compose.yml for easy migration

What It Can't Do

•Must run as non-root user with sudo privileges,Reboot required after initial installation,MacOS requires Docker Desktop auto-start and keychain approval,Raspbian users need to install Docker first,OpenMediaVault requires special instructions from the website

Use Cases

Quickly set up a home media server (Plex + Sonarr + Radarr + Transmission)
Deploy a personal cloud (Nextcloud) or note-taking service (Bookstack)
Run a Docker stack on low-power devices like Raspberry Pi

Detailed Introduction

DockSTARTer is designed to make Docker accessible to everyone, especially beginners who want to run their own home server, media stack, or other self-hosted services. It automates the installation of Docker and Docker Compose, then provides an intuitive terminal menu where you can select from dozens of pre-configured applications (like Plex, Sonarr, Radarr, Nextcloud, etc.), configure variables, and launch everything with one command. Unlike heavy GUI tools like Portainer, DockSTARTer focuses on the initial setup and application selection workflow, making it ideal for users who want a repeatable, script-based approach. It supports multiple Linux distributions and macOS, and features an active community on Discord.

Troubleshooting & FAQ (2)

Troubleshooting

Why does DockSTARTer fail with 'Permission denied' when moving config file on Ubuntu?

The error occurs because the file '/home/$USER/.docker/dockstarter.ini' is owned by root. Fix by changing ownership: sudo chown -R $USER:$USER ~/.docker ~/.config/dockstarter.ini, then run ds again. This ensures DockSTARTer can rename its config file from the old location (~/.docker/) to the new one (~/.config/).

GitHub Issue #2393

Troubleshooting

How to stop DockSTARTer from re-adding a deleted port when moving it to Gluetun?

The port is re-added because DS regenerates .env based on the app's network settings. To move a port to Gluetun, connect the app to the Gluetun network and ignore its port variables (set them to empty or leave as default). Then add the port mapping to the Gluetun container via the override file. For example, in the override file:

services:
  gluetun:
    ports:
      - ${QBITTORRENT__PORT_8080?}:8080
      - ${PROWLARR__PORT_9696?}:9696

This keeps the external port controllable in .env while exposing it through Gluetun. The ds --env-set command cannot directly add ports to an override file, so manual editing is required.

GitHub Issue #2302

Getting Started

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Install the software

Double-click the downloaded installer and follow the prompts

Step 1: Open terminal and run the install command for your OS (e.g., Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install curl git then bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://get.dockstarter.com)")

Step 2: Reboot (sudo reboot)

Step 3: After reboot, type ds to open the menu, go to Configuration → Full Setup, select apps, and start containers

Install Guide

Step 1: Open terminal and run the install command for your OS (e.g., Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install curl git then bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://get.dockstarter.com)")
Step 2: Reboot (sudo reboot)
Step 3: After reboot, type ds to open the menu, go to Configuration → Full Setup, select apps, and start containers

File Integrity

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Open Source Transparency

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Environment Guide

Uninstall Info

Run ds -c and choose the uninstall option, or manually delete ~/.dockstarter and the generated docker-compose.yml. To fully remove Docker, refer to official documentation.

No Extra Dependencies

Ready to use after download. No additional runtime required.

Project Info

LicenseMIT

Last Updated2026-06-27 09:00:20

GitHub Repository Official Website

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