Blaze Container Management

A powerful Meteor package for managing Docker containers with an intuitive web interface. Create, manage, and connect to SSH-enabled Docker containers directly from your Meteor application.

Features

• Docker Container Management: Create, start, stop, and delete containers
• SSH Access: Automatic SSH server setup with configurable credentials
• Favorites System: Mark containers as favorites with persistent storage
• Dockerfile Import: Import and build custom Docker images from Dockerfiles
• Port Management: Automatic port assignment and easy copying
• Real-time Updates: Live container status monitoring
• Modern UI: Clean, responsive interface built with Blaze
• Persistent State: Favorites survive page refreshes using localStorage

Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Meteor.js application
• Docker installed and running on the server
• Node.js with Docker API access

Installation

meteor add your-username:blaze-container-management

Setup

1. Install Docker dependencies:

npm install dockerode

2. Add the template to your application:

1<template name="yourTemplate">
2  {{> containerManager}}
3</template>

3. Include the package in your route or template:

1import 'meteor/your-username:blaze-container-management';

Package Structure

packages/blaze-container-management/
├── client/
│   ├── container-management.html    # Main template
│   ├── container-management.js      # Client-side logic
│   └── container-management.css     # Styling
├── server/
│   ├── methods.js                   # Server methods
│   └── Dockerfile                   # Default SSH container image
├── package.js                       # Package configuration
└── README.md                        # This file

Configuration

Default Dockerfile

The package includes a default Debian-based Dockerfile with SSH server:

FROM debian:latest
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y openssh-server && apt-get clean
RUN mkdir /var/run/sshd
RUN echo 'root:password123' | chpasswd
RUN sed -i 's/^#\?PermitRootLogin .*/PermitRootLogin yes/' /etc/ssh/sshd_config
RUN sed -i 's/UsePAM yes/UsePAM no/g' /etc/ssh/sshd_config
EXPOSE 22
CMD ["/usr/sbin/sshd", "-D"]

Customization

You can customize the default credentials by modifying the Dockerfile in your package directory.

Usage

Creating Containers

1. Click the "Create" button
2. The system will build the SSH-enabled image (first time only)
3. A new container will be created with a random SSH port
4. Connection details will be displayed

Managing Containers

• ** Favorite**: Click the star icon to mark containers as favorites
• ** Connect**: Click to get SSH connection details
• ** Copy Port**: Click the port number to copy it to clipboard
• ** Stop**: Click the × button to stop and remove containers

Importing Dockerfiles

1. Click the 📥 import button
2. Select a Dockerfile from your computer
3. The system will build a custom image
4. Optionally create a container from the new image

SSH Connection

Default credentials for created containers:

• Host: localhost
• Port: Auto-assigned (displayed in UI)
• Username: root
• Password: password123

ssh root@localhost -p <assigned-port>

API Reference

Server Methods

createContainer()

Creates a new SSH-enabled container.

Returns:

1{
2  success: true,
3  containerId: "abc123...",
4  containerName: "ssh-container-1234567890",
5  sshPort: "32774"
6}

listContainers()

Lists all containers with formatted data for the UI.

Returns:

1[
2  {
3    id: "abc123...",
4    name: "ssh-container-1234567890",
5    image: "debian-ssh-server",
6    status: "running",
7    publicPort: "32774",
8    created: "1/31/2025, 2:45:30 PM"
9  }
10]

closeContainer(containerId)

Stops and removes a container.

Parameters:

• containerId (String): Container ID to remove

buildImageFromDockerfile(dockerfileContent, fileName)

Builds a Docker image from uploaded Dockerfile content.

Parameters:

• dockerfileContent (String): Content of the Dockerfile
• fileName (String): Original filename

toggleContainerFavorite(containerId, isFavorite)

Toggles favorite status for a container.

Parameters:

• containerId (String): Container ID
• isFavorite (Boolean): New favorite state

Client-side Reactive Variables

1// Access container data
2const containers = displayedContainers.get();
3
4// Check if any containers exist
5const hasAnyContainers = hasContainers.get();
6
7// Get current tab
8const activeTab = currentTab.get(); // 'active' or 'favorites'

Customization

Styling

The package includes default CSS classes that can be overridden:

1.container-card { /* Container card styling */ }
2.tab-button.active { /* Active tab styling */ }
3.status-badge.running { /* Running status badge */ }
4.clickable-port { /* Clickable port styling */ }

Templates

You can extend the functionality by creating custom templates that include the containerManager:

1<template name="customDashboard">
2  <div class="dashboard-header">
3    <h1>My Container Dashboard</h1>
4  </div>
5  
6  {{> containerManager}}
7  
8  <div class="dashboard-footer">
9    <!-- Custom footer content -->
10  </div>
11</template>

Security Considerations

• SSH Credentials: Change default password in production
• Container Access: Containers run with root access
• Network Exposure: SSH ports are exposed on host
• File Uploads: Validate Dockerfile content before building

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Docker not found:

Error: Cannot connect to Docker daemon

Solution: Ensure Docker is installed and running on the server.

Permission denied:

Error: permission denied while trying to connect to Docker daemon

Solution: Add the Meteor user to the docker group or run with appropriate permissions.

Port conflicts:

Error: port already in use

Solution: The package automatically assigns random ports to avoid conflicts.

Build failures:

Error: Dockerfile build failed

Solution: Check Dockerfile syntax and ensure base images are available.

Development

Local Development

1. Clone the package to your packages/ directory
2. Run meteor add dharapo:blaze-container-management
3. Start your Meteor application

Testing

# Test container creation
meteor shell
> Meteor.call('createContainer')

# Test container listing
> Meteor.call('listContainers')

Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Add tests if applicable
5. Submit a pull request

Support

• Issues: Report bugs on GitHub Issues
• Discussions: Join the community discussions
• Documentation: Check the Meteor Guide for more examples

Acknowledgments

• Built with Meteor.js
• Docker integration via [dockerode]
• UI components inspired by modern container management tools

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Happy Container Management!