DockSTARTer

DockSTARTer is a command-line tool that streamlines setting up and maintaining a Docker + Docker Compose environment for running common self-hosted applications. It provides a guided, menu-driven experience to install prerequisites, generate configuration, and deploy/update curated Compose “app stacks” consistently.

Key Features

• Menu-based CLI to select, configure, and manage supported Docker Compose application stacks
• Installs and updates core prerequisites (Docker Engine, Docker Compose, and related dependencies) on supported Linux hosts
• Generates and manages a structured configuration (e.g., environment variables and Compose files) for repeatable deployments
• Built-in workflows for pulling updated images and recreating containers (update/upgrade routines)
• Curated library of commonly used services with standardized defaults to reduce manual Compose authoring

Use Cases

• Quickly bootstrap a homelab server with Docker Compose apps (media, monitoring, utilities)
• Standardize deployments across multiple machines with consistent configuration patterns
• Simplify ongoing maintenance by re-running update routines to refresh images and containers

Limitations and Considerations

• Primarily targets Linux hosts and users comfortable operating from a shell
• Focuses on Docker Compose stacks (not a Kubernetes/orchestrator-first workflow)

DockSTARTer is best suited for users who want a repeatable, guided approach to deploying and maintaining a set of popular Docker Compose services without building every stack from scratch. It acts as an opinionated “starter kit” for homelab-style Docker environments and ongoing updates.