Boot Catcher Linux

Linux/X11/XWayland fork of DMustache's Dota 2 Boot Catcher bot.

• Upstream repository: https://github.com/DMustache/boot_catcher
• Upstream source reference: https://github.com/DMustache/boot_catcher/tree/main/src
• This fork replaces the original Windows capture/input code with Linux X11/XWayland capture and XTest keyboard input.

Showcase

Quick start

1. Download the latest Linux release from GitHub:

   https://github.com/platzebo/dota2-boot_catcher-linux/releases

2. Extract it:

   tar -xzf boot_catcher_rs-linux-x86_64.tar.gz
   chmod +x boot_catcher_rs

3. Start Dota 2 in Windowed or Borderless Window mode.

4. Set Dota 2 to 60 FPS if possible.

5. Open the Dark Carnival Boot Catcher minigame.

6. Run the bot:

   ./boot_catcher_rs --fps 60 --window-title "Dota 2" --no-startup --debug

7. Switch back to Dota 2 and keep the Dota 2 window active/focused and visible.

8. Press Space once in Dota 2 to start Boot Catcher.

The bot watches the Boot Catcher playfield and sends A / D keyboard input to move the cart.

Stop it with Ctrl+C.

Important notes

• The Dota 2 window must stay active/focused while the bot runs.

• The Dota 2 window must stay visible; minimized windows cannot be captured.

• On Wayland, Dota 2 must run through XWayland. If needed, use this Steam launch option:

  SDL_VIDEODRIVER=x11 %command%
  

• Default target loop rate is 60 FPS:

  --fps 60

• Tested setup:

  Dota window:       2048x1152
  Capture/playfield: 688x916 at offset 682,165
  Measured capture:  ~84 FPS with XGetImage on CachyOS/XWayland
  

The bot automatically crops to the Boot Catcher playfield. This avoids false detections from the Dota UI/sidebar art and is faster than full-window capture.

Check if the bot can see Dota 2

./boot_catcher_rs --list-windows

Expected output should include something like:

0x140013d    2048x1152    map_state=2    Dota 2

If your Dota window title is different, pass a different title:

./boot_catcher_rs --fps 60 --window-title "YOUR WINDOW TITLE" --no-startup --debug

Safe test run without keyboard control

Use this if you only want to test capture/tracking first:

./boot_catcher_rs \
  --fps 60 \
  --window-title "Dota 2" \
  --no-control \
  --no-startup \
  --no-click-focus \
  --dry-run-frames 180 \
  --debug

Useful options

• --fps 60 — target bot loop rate.
• --window-title "Dota 2" — select the Dota 2 window.
• --debug — print FPS/tracking info.
• --no-startup — do not send the automatic startup key sequence.
• --no-control — track only; do not send A / D.
• --dry-run-frames N — exit after N frames.
• --game-rect L,T,W,H — manually override the playfield crop.
• --full-window — capture the full Dota window. Not recommended for normal use.
• --list-windows — print visible X11/XWayland windows and exit.

Requirements for building from source

If you only use the release download, you do not need Rust.

For building locally on CachyOS/Arch:

sudo pacman -S --needed rustup libx11 libxtst libxext
source ~/.cargo/env
cargo build --release

The binary will be:

target/release/boot_catcher_rs

GitHub Actions releases

The GitHub Actions workflow builds a Linux x86_64 release artifact on every branch/tag. Version tags create a GitHub Release.

Example:

git tag v0.1.0
git push origin v0.1.0

Release artifacts:

• boot_catcher_rs-linux-x86_64.tar.gz
• boot_catcher_rs
• SHA256SUMS

Fair-play warning

This tool sends automated keyboard input to the selected Dota 2 window. Use it only in contexts where this is allowed, such as local/custom/offline testing. Do not use it in matchmaking or anywhere it could violate Dota 2/Steam rules.