
DockSTARTer
Interactive CLI to install and manage Docker and Compose apps
2.6k stars 291 forks last commit first released MIT
Actively maintained
Last commit 25 Aug 2026.

DockSTARTer is a shell-based, menu-driven tool that helps you quickly set up Docker and deploy a curated set of self-hosted applications using Docker Compose. It targets common homelab scenarios and provides an interactive workflow for configuration and day-to-day management.
Key Features
- Installs and configures Docker on supported platforms
- Interactive terminal menus for selecting apps and setting configuration variables
- Generates and manages Docker Compose configuration for selected services
- CLI command for running common management actions and updates
- Supports multiple Linux distributions and macOS (via Homebrew)
Use Cases
- Quickly bootstrap a homelab server with Docker and a set of common self-hosted apps
- Standardize Docker Compose app deployment across multiple machines
- Learn Docker Compose setups by starting from a guided, curated baseline
Limitations and Considerations
- Focused on Docker Compose workflows and the projects included in its curated app selection
- Installation via remote bootstrap script may be undesirable for strict security policies (an alternate git-based install is provided)
DockSTARTer is a practical starting point for deploying and maintaining a Docker-based self-hosted stack. It works well both as a long-term helper tool and as a stepping stone toward more advanced custom Docker configurations.
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