How to Run a Custom Build of PMS in Docker

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How to Run a Custom Build of PMS in Docker

To test a custom build of PMS in a Docker container (such as Unraid), you will need the full URL to the build in question, e.g., https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.41.6.9685-d301f511a/debian/plexmediaserver_1.41.6.9685-d301f511a_amd64.deb.

Steps:

  1. Open a Shell in the Container
    Open a shell in the container using the command line or the “Open Console” option in the Unraid container context menu.Here is a cleaned-up markdown version for the custom Plex Media Server (PMS) Docker build process:
docker exec -it plex bash
  1. Stop the Plex Service
    From the container shell, stop the Plex service while keeping the container running:
./plex_service.sh -d
  1. Download the PMS Package
    Download the Ubuntu .deb package for your architecture (normally x64):
curl -o /tmp/pms.deb <URL>
  1. Install the Package
    Install the downloaded package using dpkg:
dpkg -i /tmp/pms.deb
  1. Clean Up the Package File
    Remove the .deb file now that it is installed:
rm /tmp/pms.deb
  1. Update the Version Number
    Update the version.txt file to reflect the build number you’re testing (use the full version including the Git SHA, e.g., 1.41.6.9685-d301f511a):

Note: This is required so that it doesn’t downgrade to the previous build you had installed if you restart the container.

sed -i "/^version=/c version=1.41.6.9685-d301f511a" /version.txt
  1. Restart the Plex Service
    Start the Plex service again:
./plex_service.sh -u
  1. Exit the Container
    Exit the container shell:
exit
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