ProxmoxVE/docs/misc/build.func

build.func Documentation

Overview

This directory contains comprehensive documentation for the build.func script, which is the core orchestration script for Proxmox LXC container creation in the Community Scripts project.

Documentation Files

🎛️ BUILD_FUNC_ADVANCED_SETTINGS.md

Complete reference for the 28-step Advanced Settings wizard, including all configurable options and their inheritance behavior.

Contents:

• All 28 wizard steps explained
• Default value inheritance
• Feature matrix (when to enable each feature)
• Confirmation summary format
• Usage examples

📊 BUILD_FUNC_FLOWCHART.md

Visual ASCII flowchart showing the main execution flow, decision trees, and key decision points in the build.func script.

Contents:

• Main execution flow diagram
• Installation mode selection flows
• Storage selection workflow
• GPU passthrough decision logic
• Variable precedence chain
• Error handling flow
• Integration points

🔧 BUILD_FUNC_ENVIRONMENT_VARIABLES.md

Complete reference of all environment variables used in build.func, organized by category and usage context.

Contents:

• Core container variables
• Operating system variables
• Resource configuration variables
• Network configuration variables
• Storage configuration variables
• Feature flags
• GPU passthrough variables
• API and diagnostics variables
• Settings persistence variables
• Variable precedence chain
• Critical variables for non-interactive use
• Common variable combinations

📚 BUILD_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md

Alphabetical function reference with detailed descriptions, parameters, dependencies, and usage information.

Contents:

• Initialization functions
• UI and menu functions
• Storage functions
• Container creation functions
• GPU and hardware functions
• Settings persistence functions
• Utility functions
• Function call flow
• Function dependencies
• Function usage examples
• Function error handling

🔄 BUILD_FUNC_EXECUTION_FLOWS.md

Detailed execution flows for different installation modes and scenarios, including variable precedence and decision trees.

Contents:

• Default install flow
• Advanced install flow
• My defaults flow
• App defaults flow
• Variable precedence chain
• Storage selection logic
• GPU passthrough flow
• Network configuration flow
• Container creation flow
• Error handling flows
• Integration flows
• Performance considerations

🏗️ BUILD_FUNC_ARCHITECTURE.md

High-level architectural overview including module dependencies, data flow, integration points, and system architecture.

Contents:

• High-level architecture diagram
• Module dependencies
• Data flow architecture
• Integration architecture
• System architecture components
• User interface components
• Security architecture
• Performance architecture
• Deployment architecture
• Maintenance architecture
• Future architecture considerations

💡 BUILD_FUNC_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md

Practical usage examples covering common scenarios, CLI examples, and environment variable combinations.

Contents:

• Basic usage examples
• Silent/non-interactive examples
• Network configuration examples
• Storage configuration examples
• Feature configuration examples
• Settings persistence examples
• Error handling examples
• Integration examples
• Best practices

Quick Start Guide

For New Users

1. Start with BUILD_FUNC_FLOWCHART.md to understand the overall flow
2. Review BUILD_FUNC_ENVIRONMENT_VARIABLES.md for configuration options
3. Follow examples in BUILD_FUNC_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md

For Developers

1. Read BUILD_FUNC_ARCHITECTURE.md for system overview
2. Study BUILD_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md for function details
3. Review BUILD_FUNC_EXECUTION_FLOWS.md for implementation details

For System Administrators

1. Focus on BUILD_FUNC_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md for deployment scenarios
2. Review BUILD_FUNC_ENVIRONMENT_VARIABLES.md for configuration management
3. Check BUILD_FUNC_ARCHITECTURE.md for security and performance considerations

Key Concepts

Variable Precedence

Variables are resolved in this order (highest to lowest priority):

1. Hard environment variables (set before script execution)
2. App-specific .vars file (/usr/local/community-scripts/defaults/<app>.vars)
3. Global default.vars file (/usr/local/community-scripts/default.vars)
4. Built-in defaults (set in base_settings() function)

Installation Modes

• Default Install: Uses built-in defaults, minimal prompts
• Advanced Install: Full interactive configuration via whiptail
• My Defaults: Loads from global default.vars file
• App Defaults: Loads from app-specific .vars file

Storage Selection Logic

1. If only 1 storage exists for content type → auto-select
2. If preselected via environment variables → validate and use
3. Otherwise → prompt user via whiptail

GPU Passthrough Flow

1. Detect hardware (Intel/AMD/NVIDIA)
2. Check if app is in GPU_APPS list OR container is privileged
3. Auto-select if single GPU type, prompt if multiple
4. Configure /etc/pve/lxc/<ctid>.conf with proper device entries
5. Fix GIDs post-creation to match container's video/render groups

Common Use Cases

Basic Container Creation

export APP="plex"
export CTID="100"
export var_hostname="plex-server"
export var_os="debian"
export var_version="12"
export var_cpu="4"
export var_ram="4096"
export var_disk="20"
export var_net="vmbr0"
export var_gateway="192.168.1.1"
export var_ip="192.168.1.100"
export var_template_storage="local"
export var_container_storage="local"

source build.func

GPU Passthrough

export APP="jellyfin"
export CTID="101"
export var_hostname="jellyfin-server"
export var_os="debian"
export var_version="12"
export var_cpu="8"
export var_ram="16384"
export var_disk="30"
export var_net="vmbr0"
export var_gateway="192.168.1.1"
export var_ip="192.168.1.101"
export var_template_storage="local"
export var_container_storage="local"
export GPU_APPS="jellyfin"
export var_gpu="nvidia"
export ENABLE_PRIVILEGED="true"

source build.func

Silent/Non-Interactive Deployment

#!/bin/bash
# Automated deployment
export APP="nginx"
export CTID="102"
export var_hostname="nginx-proxy"
export var_os="alpine"
export var_version="3.18"
export var_cpu="1"
export var_ram="512"
export var_disk="2"
export var_net="vmbr0"
export var_gateway="192.168.1.1"
export var_ip="192.168.1.102"
export var_template_storage="local"
export var_container_storage="local"
export ENABLE_UNPRIVILEGED="true"

source build.func

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Container creation fails: Check resource availability and configuration validity
2. Storage errors: Verify storage exists and supports required content types
3. Network errors: Validate network configuration and IP address availability
4. GPU passthrough issues: Check hardware detection and container privileges
5. Permission errors: Verify user permissions and container privileges

Debug Mode

Enable verbose output for debugging:

export VERBOSE="true"
export DIAGNOSTICS="true"
source build.func

Log Files

Check system logs for detailed error information:

• /var/log/syslog
• /var/log/pve/lxc/<ctid>.log
• Container-specific logs

Contributing

When contributing to build.func documentation:

1. Update relevant documentation files
2. Add examples for new features
3. Update architecture diagrams if needed
4. Test all examples before submitting
5. Follow the existing documentation style

Related Documentation

• Main README - Project overview
• Installation Guide - Installation scripts
• Container Templates - Container templates
• Tools - Additional tools and utilities

Support

For issues and questions:

1. Check this documentation first
2. Review the troubleshooting section
3. Check existing issues in the project repository
4. Create a new issue with detailed information

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Last updated: $(date) Documentation version: 1.0