Block System

Blocks are reusable package specifications that define how to install and run a service. They are the fundamental building unit in Stackie — similar in concept to Docker images, but lighter and integrated with your OS package manager.

What a Block Contains

Each block specifies:

Packages to install (e.g., PostgreSQL binaries, Node.js runtime)
Configuration files and templates
Startup commands and health checks
Port declarations for network access
Volume mounts for persistent data
Dependencies on other blocks

Listing Available Blocks

# List installed blocks
stackie blocks

# Search for a block by name or description
stackie search postgres

Using Blocks in a Stack

Blocks are referenced by name in your stackie-stack.yml:

my-project:
  blocks:
    stackie.postgres:
      serves:
        PORT: { port: 5432, type: db }
    stackie.redis: {}