Practical overview
When it fits
Use Steem when you need node software for the Steem blockchain or a documented network foundation for a decentralized application. Select the node mode according to whether you need peer-to-peer participation or the data and APIs of a full web node.
Who it is for
- Operators setting up a Steem peer-to-peer or full web node.
- Developers building decentralized applications or tokenized social services on Steem.
- Users interfacing with a running node through the project's command-line wallet.
Documented uses
- Run a Steem P2P node using the documented Docker image or a source build.
- Operate a full web node for services that need all blockchain data and a fuller set of APIs and plugins.
- Build decentralized applications that use Steem's blockchain and token-allocation model.
- Connect the command-line wallet to a configured Steem node.
Requirements & limits
- The repository recommends pre-built Docker images or Docker builds; it also documents source builds for Linux Ubuntu LTS and macOS.
- A P2P node and a full web node have different resource needs; the README's full-node figures vary by section and may increase.
- Steem requires seed-node information for a node to connect to peers.
- The CLI wallet requires a connected node with account_by_key_api, condenser_api, and WebSocket support.
- The README describes Smart Media Tokens as forthcoming, so its text does not establish their current operational status.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Start a Steem Dockerized P2P Node
Run Steem’s Dockerized peer-to-peer node and follow its logs.
Before you start
- Docker
- About 2 GB of memory
Steps
Start the node with the command below.
docker run -d -p 2001:2001 -p 8090:8090 --name steemd-default steemit/steemFollow its logs with the command below.
docker logs -f steemd-default
Expected outcome
A Steem P2P node is launched in a Docker container, with logs available to follow.
Guide limitations
- The repository says the node will not do anything without seed nodes; the Docker image includes a seed-node list.
- The approximately 2 GB memory requirement is stated as current in the repository.
Start a Steem Dockerized Full Node
Run a Steem node configured to hold all blockchain data.
Before you start
- Docker
- At least 16 GB memory and 110 GB disk space, as stated in the repository’s system requirements
Steps
Start the full node with the command below.
docker run --env USE_WAY_TOO_MUCH_RAM=1 --env USE_FULL_WEB_NODE=1 -d -p 2001:2001 -p 8090:8090 --name steemd-full steemit/steemFollow its logs with the command below.
docker logs -f steemd-full
Expected outcome
A Dockerized Steem full node is launched with the full-web-node configuration, and its logs can be followed.
Guide limitations
- The README estimates about 14 GB of memory, growing, for this mode; its system requirements section specifies at least 16 GB and 110 GB of disk for a full web node.
- Steemd’s data and disk requirements grow over time.
- The repository notes that Steem will not do anything without seed nodes; the Docker image includes a seed-node list.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 17 October 2026
- Original website title
- steemit/steem · Official homepage title · retained in its source language