Seeds are plugin packages that add support for different DAT sources in Datoso. Each seed provides the logic for fetching, parsing, and processing DATs from a specific source like Redump, No-Intro, or FBNeo.
Understanding Seeds
A seed in Datoso is:
- A Python package that extends Datoso’s functionality
- Typically named
datoso_seed_{name} (e.g., datoso_seed_redump)
- Provides source-specific logic for downloading and organizing DATs
- Can be installed independently or all together
Listing Installed Seeds
View Installed Seeds
See all currently installed seeds:
Output example:
Installed seeds:
* fbneo - Final Burn Neo DAT files for arcade systems
* nointro - No-Intro DATs from datomatic
* redump - Redump disc preservation DATs
* pleasuredome - MAME and arcade DATs from Pleasuredome
Get Seed Details
View detailed information about a specific seed:
datoso seed details redump
Seed redump details:
* Name: datoso_seed_redump
* Version: 0.2.5
* Author: Lacides Romero
* Description: Redump disc preservation DATs for various console systems
Installing Seeds
Install All Official Seeds
Install Datoso with all officially supported seeds:
This is the recommended approach for most users as it provides access to all major DAT sources.
Install Individual Seeds
Install only specific seeds you need:
# Install base datoso first
pip install datoso
# Then install individual seeds
pip install datoso[redump]
pip install datoso[fbneo]
pip install datoso[nointro]
pip install datoso_seed_redump
pip install datoso_seed_fbneo
pip install datoso_seed_nointro
Installing datoso[seed_name] and datoso_seed_name both work - the bracket syntax is shorthand that pip understands.
Available Official Seeds
| Seed | Description | Install Command |
|---|
fbneo | Final Burn Neo (arcade) | pip install datoso[fbneo] |
nointro | No-Intro (Datomatic) | pip install datoso[nointro] |
redump | Redump (disc preservation) | pip install datoso[redump] |
pleasuredome | Pleasuredome (MAME) | pip install datoso[pleasuredome] |
tdc | Total DOS Collection | pip install datoso[tdc] |
vpinmame | Visual Pinball | pip install datoso[vpinmame] |
whdload | WHDLoad (Amiga) | pip install datoso[whdload] |
eggman | Teknoparrot, ALL.Net | pip install datoso[eggman] |
Deprecated Seeds
Some seeds are deprecated but still available:
md_enhanced - Mega Drive Enhancedsfc_enhancedcolors - Super Famicom Enhanced Colorssfc_msu1 - Super Famicom MSU1sfc_speedhacks - Super Famicom Speed Hackstranslatedenglish - Translated English
Deprecated seeds may not receive updates and could be removed in future versions.
Using Multiple Seeds
Fetch from Multiple Seeds
Fetch DATs from several seeds sequentially:
# Fetch from all installed seeds
datoso all --fetch
# Fetch from specific seeds only
datoso all --fetch --only redump fbneo nointro
# Fetch from all except certain seeds
datoso all --fetch --exclude pleasuredome
Process Multiple Seeds
Process DATs from several seeds:
# Process all seeds
datoso all --process
# Process specific seeds
datoso all --process --only redump nointro
# Process with filter applied to all
datoso all --process --filter Nintendo
Complete Workflow for Multiple Seeds
# Fetch and process everything
datoso all --fetch --process
# Fetch everything, process selectively
datoso all --fetch
datoso all --process --only redump fbneo
Configuring Seeds
Seed-Specific Configuration
Some seeds support additional configuration options. Configuration uses uppercase seed names:
# Example seed-specific settings
datoso config --set REDUMP.CustomOption=value
# View current configuration
datoso config
Ignoring Seeds
Skip certain seeds when using all:
# Ignore seeds matching pattern
datoso config --set PROCESS.SeedIgnoreRegEx="(deprecated|test)"
# Now 'datoso all --fetch' will skip matching seeds
datoso all --fetch
Verifying Seed Health
Run Seed Diagnostics
Check if a seed is properly configured:
# Check specific seed
datoso doctor redump
# Check all installed seeds
datoso doctor
- Seed package is properly installed
- Required dependencies are available
- Configuration is valid
- Network connectivity (for fetch operations)
Repair Seed Issues
If doctor finds issues, attempt automatic repair:
datoso doctor redump --repair
Seed Workflows
Workflow 1: Single Seed Setup
Install seed
pip install datoso[redump]
Configure paths
datoso config --set PATHS.DatPath=/path/to/dats
Fetch and process
datoso redump --fetch --process
Workflow 2: Multi-Seed Setup
Install multiple seeds
pip install datoso[redump,fbneo,nointro]
Process selectively
# Process arcade seeds
datoso all --process --only fbneo pleasuredome
# Process console seeds
datoso all --process --only redump nointro
Workflow 3: Updating Seeds
Update seed package
pip install --upgrade datoso_seed_redump
Verify new version
datoso seed details redump
Seed Management Best Practices
Organization Strategy
Organize your workflow by seed type:
# Set up directory structure
mkdir -p ~/roms/{arcade,console,computer}/dats
# Configure per-seed if needed using .datosorc
cd ~/roms/arcade
datoso config --set PATHS.DatPath=./dats --local
Selective Updates
Update only what you need:
# Update only Redump (disc systems)
datoso redump --fetch --process
# Update only arcade systems
datoso all --fetch --process --only fbneo pleasuredome
Filtering Across Seeds
Apply consistent filters across multiple seeds:
# Only process Nintendo systems from all seeds
datoso all --process --filter Nintendo
# Only process Sony systems
datoso all --process --filter Sony
Troubleshooting
Seed Not Found
If a seed isn’t recognized:
Reinstall if needed
pip install --force-reinstall datoso_seed_redump
Seed Import Errors
If you see import errors:
# Check Python version (3.11+ required)
python3 --version
# Verify virtual environment
which python3
which datoso
# Reinstall in virtual environment
pip install --upgrade datoso datoso_seed_redump
Fetch/Process Failures
If seed operations fail:
# Run diagnostics
datoso doctor redump -v
# Check logs
datoso log
# Verify network connectivity
curl -I https://www.redump.org
Advanced Seed Usage
Custom Seed Actions
Execute specific actions during processing:
# Only load and deduplicate
datoso redump --process --actions LoadDatFile,Deduplicate
# Custom action pipeline
datoso redump --process --actions "LoadDatFile,Copy,SaveToDatabase"
Combining Seeds with Filters
Complex filtering across seeds:
# Fetch all, but process filtered subsets
datoso all --fetch
datoso redump --process --filter Sony
datoso nointro --process --filter Nintendo
datoso fbneo --process --filter Capcom
Seed Configuration Overrides
Override seed behavior per-project:
# Create local config
cd /path/to/project
touch .datosorc
# Set project-specific overrides
datoso config --set PATHS.DatPath=./dats --local
datoso config --set PROCESS.Overwrite=True --local
# This project now uses its own settings
Developing Custom Seeds
To create your own seed for a custom DAT source:
See datoso_seed_base on GitHub for the seed development template and documentation.
- Add support for private or custom DAT sources
- Customize organization rules
- Implement source-specific fetching logic
Next Steps
Now that you understand seeds:
- Download DATs from your installed seeds
- Process DATs to organize them
- Configure DAT properties for fine-grained control
Datoso without any seeds installed won’t do much - always install at least one seed package to fetch and process DATs.