How to use the command x11docker (with examples)
x11docker is a command-line tool that allows you to securely run GUI applications and desktop UIs in Docker containers. It provides a simple and convenient way to isolate and run Linux desktop applications without having to install them directly on your host system. This article will guide you through different use cases of the x11docker command and explain how it works.
Use case 1: Launch VLC in a container
Code:
x11docker --pulseaudio --share=$HOME/Videos jess/vlc
Motivation:
Running VLC in a container can be useful in scenarios where you want to keep your host system clean from the installation of various media codecs and dependencies. By running VLC in a container, you can rest assured that any changes made by VLC won’t affect your host system.
Explanation:
--pulseaudio: This argument enables the sharing of the host system’s PulseAudio server, allowing the application running inside the container to output audio.--share=$HOME/Videos: This argument mounts the$HOME/Videosdirectory from the host system to the container, allowing VLC to access videos stored on your host system.
Example output:
The VLC application will be launched within a container and appear as a separate window on your desktop. You can use VLC as you normally would, playing videos from the mounted $HOME/Videos directory, and any audio should be played through your host system’s audio device.
Use case 2: Launch Xfce in a window
Code:
x11docker --desktop x11docker/xfce
Motivation:
Launching Xfce in a Docker container can be useful when you want to experiment with Xfce or test Linux applications that have specific dependencies on Xfce. It provides an isolated environment for running Xfce without modifying your host system.
Explanation:
--desktop: This argument starts a container with a full Linux desktop environment. In this case, it will launch Xfce.x11docker/xfce: This specifies the Docker image to use, in this case, the pre-built image for Xfce.
Example output:
After executing the command, a new window will appear, displaying the Xfce desktop environment. You can interact with Xfce just as you would on a regular Xfce desktop, launching applications and customizing the environment to your liking.
Use case 3: Launch GNOME in a window
Code:
x11docker --desktop --gpu --init=systemd x11docker/gnome
Motivation:
Running GNOME in a Docker container can be useful for testing GNOME-specific applications or customizing your GNOME environment without affecting your host system. It allows you to experiment with different GNOME configurations and settings in an isolated environment.
Explanation:
--desktop: This argument starts a container with a full Linux desktop environment. In this case, it will launch GNOME.--gpu: This argument enables GPU acceleration inside the container. This allows applications that use OpenGL to run more efficiently.--init=systemd: This argument ensures that the systemd init system is used inside the container. systemd is the default init system for most modern Linux distributions.
Example output:
After executing the command, a new window will appear, displaying the GNOME desktop environment. You can interact with GNOME just as you would on a regular GNOME desktop, launching applications and customizing the environment to your liking.
Use case 4: Launch KDE Plasma in a window
Code:
x11docker --desktop --gpu --init=systemd x11docker/kde-plasma
Motivation:
Running KDE Plasma in a Docker container allows you to test KDE-specific applications, experiment with KDE configurations, or keep your host system free from any KDE-related packages or settings. It provides an isolated environment for running KDE Plasma without impacting your host system.
Explanation:
--desktop: This argument starts a container with a full Linux desktop environment. In this case, it will launch KDE Plasma.--gpu: This argument enables GPU acceleration inside the container, allowing applications that use OpenGL to run more efficiently.--init=systemd: This argument ensures that the systemd init system is used inside the container. systemd is the default init system for most modern Linux distributions.
Example output:
After executing the command, a new window will appear, displaying the KDE Plasma desktop environment. You can interact with KDE Plasma just as you would on a regular KDE Plasma desktop, launching applications and customizing the environment to your liking.
Use case 5: Display help
Code:
x11docker --help
Motivation:
If you need information about the available options and usage of the x11docker command, you can use the --help argument to display a help message and usage instructions in the terminal.
Explanation:
--help: This argument displays the help message with information on the available command-line options and their usage.
Example output:
Executing the --help command will print out the help message, providing you with a detailed explanation of the various command-line options available, their usage, and examples of how they can be used.
Conclusion:
The x11docker command is a versatile tool for running GUI applications and desktop environments in Docker containers. It allows you to easily isolate applications and desktop UIs, test different environments, and keep your host system clean from unnecessary installations or modifications. By following the provided examples, you can harness the power of x11docker to create custom, isolated Linux desktop environments tailored to your specific needs.
