Run Neovim using Docker—directly in your terminal or in your browser using ttyd.

This image is based on Arch Linux and includes:

• Zsh with Oh My Zsh
• ttyd for web-based access, built with NerdFont
• Easy first-run setup for popular Neovim distros

• No system dependencies: Run Neovim without installing anything except Docker.
• Supports most LSPs, DAPs, linters, and formatters.
• Built for UnRaid, but works on other Linux-based systems.
• Slim version available: Use ghcr.io/lanjelin/nvim-docker:slim for a smaller image.

To persist your Neovim configuration, mount /root to a volume or a folder on the host.

You can specify the NVIM_DISTRO environment variable on first run to install one of the following:

• LazyVim
• AstroNvim
• NvChad
• LunarVim
• SpaceVim
• Kickstart
• NormalNvim

If .config/nvim exists, no changes will be made.
Want another distro? Open an issue or pull request!

The container installs Oh My Zsh and your chosen Neovim distro on first launch.
To initialize the setup, run:

docker run -it --rm \
  -v /mnt/user/appdata/nvim-docker:/root \
  -e NVIM_DISTRO="lazyvim" \
  ghcr.io/lanjelin/nvim-docker:latest

To integrate nvim-docker as your nvim command, add this function to your .bashrc or .zshrc:

nvim () {
  if [ ! $# -eq 0 ]; then
    [[ -d "$1" ]] || [[ -f "$1" ]] || touch "$1"
    [[ -f "$1" ]] && NWD="$(dirname $1)" || NWD="$(realpath $1)"
    docker run -it --rm --name nvim-docker-cli \
    -w "/edit$NWD" \
    -v "$(realpath $1)":"/edit$(realpath $1)" \
    -v /mnt/user/appdata/nvim-docker:/root \
    ghcr.io/lanjelin/nvim-docker:latest \
    nvim "/edit$(realpath $1)"
  else
    docker run -it --rm --name nvim-docker-cli \
    -w "/root" \
    -v /mnt/user/appdata/nvim-docker:/root \
    ghcr.io/lanjelin/nvim-docker:latest \
    nvim
  fi
}

After adding this, reload your shell:

source ~/.zshrc  # or `source ~/.bashrc`

If you've followed my guide for ZSH and Oh-My-Zsh with persistent history, adding the above would work seamlessly. If not, there are a few ways to make this work.

1. Download the function file:

wget -O /mnt/user/appdata/nvim-docker/.nvim-docker.rc https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Lanjelin/nvim-docker/main/.nvim-docker.rc

2. Create a new user script in UnRaid's User Scripts plugin.
3. Set it to "At First Array Start Only" and paste:

cat /mnt/user/appdata/nvim-docker/.nvim-docker.rc >> /root/.bash_profile

This will result in errors if you try to run nvim before the array is started.

1. Download the file:

wget -O /boot/config/.nvim-docker.rc https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Lanjelin/nvim-docker/main/.nvim-docker.rc

2. Modify the go file to load it on boot:

echo "cat /boot/config/.nvim-docker.rc >> /root/.bash_profile" >> /boot/config/go

This image includes ttyd, allowing you to run Neovim (or Zsh) in a web browser.

To quickly add this in UnRaid:

wget -O /boot/config/plugins/dockerMan/templates-user/my-nvim-docker.xml \
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Lanjelin/docker-templates/main/lanjelin/nvim-docker.xml

Then go to Docker → Add Container, select nvim-docker from the Template dropdown.

docker run -d --name nvim-docker \
  -w "/edit" \
  -p 7681:7681 \
  -v /path/to/project:/edit \
  -v /mnt/user/appdata/nvim-docker:/root \
  ghcr.io/lanjelin/nvim-docker:latest \
  ttyd.nerd -W -t fontFamily="JetBrains" nvim "/edit"

services:
  nvim-docker:
    container_name: nvim-docker
    working_dir: /edit
    ports:
      - 7681:7681
    volumes:
      - /path/to/project:/edit
      - /mnt/user/appdata/nvim-docker:/root
    image: ghcr.io/lanjelin/nvim-docker:latest
    command: ttyd.nerd -W -t fontFamily="JetBrains" nvim "/edit"

For full shell access instead of Neovim:

docker run -d --name nvim-docker \
  -w "/edit" \
  -p 7681:7681 \
  -v /path/to/project:/edit \
  -v /mnt/user/appdata/nvim-docker:/root \
  ghcr.io/lanjelin/nvim-docker:latest \
  ttyd.nerd -W -t fontFamily="JetBrains" zsh

This container runs as root, allowing it to modify files and directories it accesses.
For security:

• Do not expose it to the internet without proper precautions.
• Consider running it in an isolated network.

Want a feature or another Neovim distro?
Feel free to open an issue or submit a pull request!