dosbox-automation is a DOSBox Staging fork for automating the launch, control, and inspection of DOS applications and games. Its HTTP REST API uses bearer-token authentication and includes Swagger UI, while a sandboxed Lua engine drives execution, input, and system state with frame-accurate timing. It can record and replay keyboard and mouse input, capture frames, record video, read screen text in text modes, and inspect memory and CPU registers. TOML install recipes can automate installations, including disk swaps, through the API and Lua engine. The project includes DOSBox Staging functionality, additional fixes and hardening, and a FluidR3 General MIDI soundfont enabled by default. It can be used with shell scripts, Python programs, game launchers, test harnesses, and CI/CD pipelines. Official builds are provided for Windows and Linux; the Linux build targets x86_64. The built-in webserver is off by default and must be enabled. When enabled, it binds to localhost by default, requires bearer tokens for API requests, restricts mounted paths, and runs Lua without filesystem or process access. Windows 9x is not supported.
Who it is for
It suits developers, testers, and launcher authors who need to automate or inspect DOS applications and games. Linux users need an x86_64 system for the official build; macOS users would need to compile from source, a route described as untested.
What is good
- Offers a REST API with bearer-token authentication.
- Lua automation supports frame-accurate timing.
- Records and replays keyboard and mouse input.
- TOML recipes can automate installations and disk swaps.
- Supports inspection of screen text, memory, and registers.
What to know first
- Windows 9x is not supported.
- No official macOS builds are provided.
- The official Linux build targets x86_64.
- The webserver is disabled by default.
Verdict
dosbox-automation is built for repeatable control and inspection of DOS software through APIs, scripts, and install recipes. Its platform limits and disabled-by-default webserver are important setup considerations.
Compared on MS-DOS emulators
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported host platforms
- Windows, Linux
- DOS target versions
- ms-dos
- Gamepad support
- Yes
- Audio CD support
- Yes
- Source available
- Yes
