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Drone Runner

Drone Runner is a Docker-based worker for Drone CI (Continuous Integration).

  • Productivity
  • Tools & Utilities
Drone Runner is a Docker-based worker for Drone CI (Continuous Integration). It connects to a Drone server and runs pipeline build steps as Docker containers. It is for self-hosted CI users who need lightweight, isolated Docker job execution.

Platform availability

Available on 2 of 6 install platforms

  • Unraid
  • TrueNAS (not listed)
  • Umbrel (not listed)
  • ZimaOS (not listed)
  • Proxmox (not listed)
  • Helm

Also on Docker Hub

Health score

45/100 Fair

Maintained
46last commit 269 days ago
Popular
43135 GitHub stars
Easy to install
452 install platforms, install notes, Docker image
Light to run
No data

Based on 3 of 4 factors.

How is this calculated?

A 0-100 score computed nightly from four factors: maintained (40%: recent commits and steady activity), popular (25%: GitHub stars, log scale), easy to install (20%: platforms, install notes, setup guides, Docker image) and light to run (15%: minimum RAM, ARM support). Factors without data are left out and the rest are rescaled.

Availability: platform listings confirmed today, links checked 11 days ago

GitHub stars
135
Open issues
17
Last commit
2026-01-13
Latest release
v1.8.5
Activity
stale

Checked 3 days ago - source: GitHub (drone-runners/drone-runner-docker)

Resources & Compatibility

ARM (e.g. Raspberry Pi) is supported.

Checked 10 days ago - source: Docker Hub image tags and published docs

First-install notes

  • Install and start the runner service Run the service install and start commands, and use root (administrator) rights if the app asks for them. This keeps the runner running in the background, and your builds won't start if the service isn't active. source
  • Check it connected to the Drone server After starting the runner, look in the logs for the line saying it successfully pinged (contacted) the remote server. That confirms it can reach your Drone server; without that connection, the runner won't pick up any build jobs. source
  • Add DigitalOcean token if using VMs If you use DigitalOcean virtual machines, provide your DigitalOcean personal access token (a secret cloud credential) and keep the pool file with the VM settings safe. Without the token and pool details, the runner can't create or manage the cloud machines your builds need. source

Fetched 10 days ago - each note links to its source

Alternatives (4)

  • FPV Freerider - RC Quadcopter Racing Simulator.
  • Fiverr - Monetize your skills globally with Fiverr's Gigs.
  • Hotprops - HOTPROPS is a realistic drone simulator with high end visuals, real world physics and multiplayer game modes..
  • TaskRabbit - TaskRabbit is a service platform that connects users with vetted individuals, known as Taskers, who can perform a wide range of tasks such…

Checked 7 days ago - source: AlternativeTo

Common questions

Which Drone server version does the Docker runner need?

It requires Drone server 1.6.0 or higher. It executes pipelines inside Docker containers.

Is the Docker runner suitable for every Linux workload?

No, it is intended for Linux workloads that are suitable for execution inside containers.

What information is required when asking for help with Docker problems?

Provide the full YAML configuration, the full runner configuration, and the result of drone build info.

Can Drone and Gitea be run on the same server?

One self-hoster reports running Gitea and Drone in separate containers on the same host, with runner instances on Docker Swarm, without trouble.

Answers sourced from docs.drone.io, github.com, www.reddit.com

Community

Collected 10 days ago - public community threads