Sid-based Steam Docker

This is a steam launcher based on Debian Sid (a.k.a. Unstable), ready to run in a Docker container.

It expects relatively new NVidia graphic cards (i.e. those supported by non-legacy NVidia drivers).

Acknowledgments

This was originally inspired by other steam-in-a-docker containers, especially:

• https://hub.docker.com/r/andrey01/steam/
• https://hub.docker.com/r/tianon/steam/

For the impatient

1. Clone this repository
   git clone https://github.com/eartiaga/sidsteam

2. Go into the repository's root directory
   cd sidsteam

3. Build the image
   docker-compose build

4. Launch the container
   STEAM_USER=$(id -ru) docker-compose up

Configuration

The container is affected by some environment variables, with default values defined in the .env file in the repository root directory. Environment variables take precedence over the file. The relevant variables are:

• STEAM_DATADIR: The directory that the Steam launcher will use to store local data. It defaults to a directory named data in the repository's root, and it is bound to the in-docker's user home directory.

• STEAM_UID: This should be the uid of a user with write permissions on the STEAM_DATADIR directory. It defaults to 1001 (a convenient value for my own setup ;-) (Please, be sensible and avoid the root user and 0777 permissions...)

• STEAM_USER: The name of the non-root user inside the container. It defaults to steam, but it can be changed according to taste.

• STEAM_ACTION: Instead of starting steam, perform an alternative action:

  • wait: leave the container on stand-by (in case you want to connect by other means)
  • shell: start an interactive shell (so you can temporarily tweak it)
  • custom: execute the contents of $WINE_DATADIR/launch.rc, instead of steam (useful to play other native games that require 32-bit support)
  • default: perform the default action (i.e. start steam)

Troubleshooting

• In case you have trouble resolving dns names when building the docker, make sure you have set the dns servers in the /etc/docker/daemon.json file. It should contain something like:

  {
    ...
    "dns": [ "<your_dns_server_ip>" ]
  }
  

  (create the file if it does not exist; and you may use google's dns server 8.8.8.8 in case of need; then, restart docker, e.g. with systemctl restart docker)

Disclaimer

There might be bugs. Use at your own risk.