Generic SteamCMD Game Server (Docker)

This repository provides a Dockerized generic SteamCMD-based game server suitable for running any Steam game server in a clean, reproducible way. The image is designed for headless operation, automatically downloads and updates game servers via SteamCMD, and supports file overlaying using OverlayFS.

---

Features

• Runs any Steam dedicated server via SteamCMD
• Automatically downloads and updates game servers on startup
• Supports file overlaying using OverlayFS (no file copying required)
• Automated build & push via GitHub Actions

Docker Compose Example

services:
  game-server:
    image: lancommander/steamcmd:latest
    container_name: game-server

    # Adjust ports to match your game
    ports:
      - "27015:27015/udp"

    # Bind mounts so files appear on the host
    volumes:
      - ./config:/config

    environment:
      STEAM_APP_ID: "730"         # CS:GO App ID
      # START_ARGS: "./srcds_run -game csgo -console -usercon +map de_dust2"

    cap_add:
      - SYS_ADMIN

    security_opt:
      - apparmor:unconfined

    # Ensure container restarts if the server crashes or host reboots
    restart: unless-stopped

---

Directory Layout (Host)

.
└── config/
    ├── Server/            # Game files downloaded by SteamCMD (auto-created)
    ├── Overlay/           # Files to overlay on game directory (optional)
    │   ├── maps/          # Example: Custom maps
    │   └── ...            # Any files you want to overlay
    ├── Merged/            # OverlayFS merged view (auto-created)
    ├── .overlay-work/     # OverlayFS work directory (auto-created)
    └── Scripts/
        └── Hooks/         # Script files in this directory get automatically executed if registered to a hook

Both directories must be writable by Docker.

---

Environment Variables

Variable	Description	Default
STEAM_APP_ID	Steam App ID of the game server to install	(required)
STEAM_APP_UPDATE	Enable automatic updates on startup (true/false)	true
STEAM_BRANCH	Steam beta branch name	(empty)
STEAM_BRANCH_PASSWORD	Password for the beta branch	(empty)
STEAM_VALIDATE	Validate game files on install/update	true
STEAM_USERNAME	Steam account username	anonymous
STEAM_PASSWORD	Steam account password	(empty)
STEAMCMD_ARGS	Additional arguments passed to SteamCMD	(empty)
START_EXE	Executable to run after installation	(empty)
START_ARGS	Arguments passed to the server executable	(empty)

STEAM_APP_ID

The Steam App ID of the game server to install. Common examples:

• CS:GO: 730
• CS: Source: 232330
• Team Fortress 2: 232250
• Left 4 Dead 2: 222860
• ARK: Survival Evolved: 376030
• Rust: 258550

You can find App IDs on SteamDB or by checking the game's Steam store page URL.

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Running the Server

Basic run (recommended)

mkdir -p config

docker run --rm -it \
  --cap-add SYS_ADMIN \
  -p 27015:27015/udp \
  -v "$(pwd)/config:/config" \
  -e STEAM_APP_ID="730" \
  -e START_ARGS="./srcds_run -game csgo -console -usercon +map de_dust2" \
  lancommander/steamcmd:latest

With a beta branch

docker run --rm -it \
  --cap-add SYS_ADMIN \
  -p 27015:27015/udp \
  -v "$(pwd)/config:/config" \
  -e STEAM_APP_ID="730" \
  -e STEAM_BRANCH="beta" \
  -e STEAM_BRANCH_PASSWORD="mypassword" \
  -e START_ARGS="./srcds_run -game csgo -console -usercon +map de_dust2" \
  lancommander/steamcmd:latest

License

SteamCMD and game servers are distributed under their respective licenses. This repository contains only Docker build logic and helper scripts licensed under MIT.