CHIM Linux Setup Guide

Before You Begin

What this does: The installer creates a persistent DwemerDistro container, updates CHIM, makes a safety backup, and checks the installation for common problems.

• Computer: An x86_64 Linux computer with at least 12 GB of free space. 16 GB of RAM is recommended.
• Docker: Install Docker Engine and the Docker Compose v2 plugin.
• Commands: Make sure curl, sha256sum, and unzip are installed.
• Permissions: Your Linux user must be able to run docker without sudo.

Follow the official Docker Engine install guide and Docker Compose guide for your Linux distribution.

docker version
docker compose version

Optional NVIDIA Support

Install the NVIDIA Container Toolkit only if this computer will run supported GPU-backed speech services.

• NVIDIA setup: Follow the official Container Toolkit Install Guide.
• CPU setup: Skip this section if you do not need NVIDIA GPU support.

Install DwemerDistro

Extract The Package

Download the current DwemerDistro-Linux-*.zip package, open a terminal in the download folder, and extract it.

unzip DwemerDistro-Linux-*.zip
cd DwemerDistro-Linux-*

Choose Your Install Command

Skyrim is on this Linux computer:

bash install.sh

Skyrim is on another computer:

bash install.sh --lan

Add NVIDIA GPU support:

bash install.sh --nvidia
# Or combine NVIDIA support with LAN access
bash install.sh --lan --nvidia

The first installation verifies the package, imports DwemerDistro, starts CHIM, updates the server, creates a safety backup, and runs Distro Doctor. This can take several minutes.

Connect CHIM

Print the web address and exact game settings after installation:

dwemerctl address

For a game running on the same Linux computer, the output will use settings like these:

SERVER=127.0.0.1
PORT=8081
PATH=/HerikaServer/comm.php
POLINT=1

For a game on another computer, copy the LAN values printed by dwemerctl address into AIAgent.ini. Allow TCP port 8081 through the Linux firewall.

Web interface: http://127.0.0.1:8081/HerikaServer/ui/home.php

Daily Use

Docker starts DwemerDistro automatically after a reboot. These commands can also be used at any time:

dwemerctl start
dwemerctl stop
dwemerctl restart
dwemerctl status
dwemerctl logs

If dwemerctl is not in your path, use ~/.local/share/dwemerdistro-linux/dwemerctl instead.

Updates And Health Checks

dwemerctl update
dwemerctl doctor
dwemerctl repair

• Update: Makes a backup before updating CHIM and installed services.
• Doctor: Checks Docker, PostgreSQL, Apache, CHIM, permissions, and installed speech services.
• Repair: Applies the safe repairs offered by Distro Doctor.

Backups

Create a manual database and configuration backup:

dwemerctl backup

Restore a backup using the directory printed by that command:

dwemerctl restore ~/.local/share/dwemerdistro-linux/backups/<backup-name>

A second safety backup is created before the restore begins.

Existing Manual Linux Installations

The installer detects the old skyrimaiframework container and leaves it untouched. Stop the old container first because both installations use the same ports.

docker stop skyrimaiframework

Do not delete the old container or its data until the new installation has been tested and backed up. Automatic migration from the old manual layout is not currently performed.

Uninstall

Remove the container while keeping your database and configuration:

dwemerctl uninstall

Permanently remove the container and all persistent Linux installer data:

dwemerctl uninstall --purge-data

The purge command asks for confirmation.

Troubleshooting

Start with the status and health checks:

dwemerctl status
dwemerctl doctor

Follow the startup log if the server does not become ready:

dwemerctl logs

Open an advanced maintenance shell only when you need to inspect the container directly:

dwemerctl shell

If the web interface is unavailable, confirm that Docker is running and that another service is not already using port 8081.

ARM computers are not supported. The Linux installer does not install Skyrim, Mod Organizer 2, SKSE, CHIM, Prisma, or Proton.