Fix server crashes: tcmalloc and workshop collection issues

- Add automatic tcmalloc disable in start scripts to prevent 'large alloc' segfaults
- Add warnings and documentation about workshop COLLECTION vs addon IDs
- Expand troubleshooting section with solutions for common crashes
- Document that -authkey deprecation warning can be safely ignored

Fixes:
- tcmalloc: large alloc XXXXXXX bytes == (nil) followed by Segmentation fault
- Item is not a collection! error when using addon ID instead of collection ID
- Missing 32-bit libraries warning with installation instructions

README.md

@@ -123,6 +123,29 @@ docker-compose pull && docker-compose up -d
 
 ## 🛠️ Troubleshooting
 
+### Server crashes with "tcmalloc: large alloc" error
+This is a memory allocation failure in Google's tcmalloc library. The fix is applied automatically by our start scripts, which disable tcmalloc. If you still see this error:
+```bash
+# Manually disable tcmalloc
+mv /home/gmod/serverfiles/bin/libtcmalloc_minimal.so.4 /home/gmod/serverfiles/bin/libtcmalloc_minimal.so.4.disabled
+```
+
+### "Item is not a collection!" error
+```
+Processing collection XXXXX...
+   Item is not a collection!
+```
+**Cause:** You're using an individual addon ID instead of a collection ID.
+
+**Fix:** 
+1. Go to `https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=YOUR_ID`
+2. If it shows a single addon (not a "Collection"), you need to create a proper collection
+3. Create a new collection on Steam Workshop containing your desired addons
+4. Use that collection's ID instead
+
+### "-authkey is no longer required" warning
+This warning can be safely ignored. The `-authkey` parameter was deprecated by Garry's Mod and is no longer needed for workshop content.
+
 ### Server won't start
 - Check that `SRCDS_TOKEN` is set
 - Verify ports 27015-27020 are open
@@ -130,13 +153,26 @@ docker-compose pull && docker-compose up -d
 
 ### Workshop content not downloading
 - Verify collection is public
-- Check `WORKSHOP_COLLECTION` is set correctly
+- Check `WORKSHOP_COLLECTION` is set correctly (must be a Collection ID, not an addon ID!)
 - Ensure server has internet access
 
 ### Players can't connect
 - Ensure firewall allows UDP/TCP 27015
 - Verify server is properly registered with Steam
 
+### Missing 32-bit libraries warning
+```
+WARNING: Failed to load 32-bit libtinfo.so.5 or libncurses.so.5.
+```
+Install the required libraries:
+```bash
+# Debian/Ubuntu
+sudo apt-get install lib32tinfo5 libncurses5:i386
+
+# CentOS/RHEL
+sudo yum install ncurses-libs.i686
+```
+
 ## 📜 License
 
 MIT License - Free to use and modify.

scripts/docker-entrypoint.sh

@@ -150,9 +150,13 @@ if [[ -n "$RCON_PASSWORD" && "$RCON_PASSWORD" != "changeme" ]]; then
 fi
 
 # Add workshop collection if provided
+# NOTE: Make sure WORKSHOP_COLLECTION is a COLLECTION ID, not an individual item ID!
+# You can verify at: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=YOUR_ID
+# If it says "Collection" it's valid. If it says "Addon" it will fail.
 if [[ -n "$WORKSHOP_COLLECTION" ]]; then
     ARGS="$ARGS +host_workshop_collection $WORKSHOP_COLLECTION"
     log_info "Workshop collection: $WORKSHOP_COLLECTION"
+    log_warning "Ensure this is a Collection ID, not an individual addon ID!"
 fi
 
 # Display configuration
@@ -182,15 +186,21 @@ trap cleanup SIGTERM SIGINT
 # Add -disableluarefresh to prevent lua refresh issues
 ARGS="$ARGS -disableluarefresh"
 
-# Disable tcmalloc which causes issues in Docker environments
+# Disable tcmalloc which causes segfaults with large memory allocations in Docker
 # This is a known issue with Source engine games in containers
-# Override the tcmalloc library with standard glibc malloc
+# The error "tcmalloc: large alloc XXXXXXX bytes == (nil)" indicates memory allocation failure
 export LD_PRELOAD=""
 unset LD_PRELOAD
 
 # Use the included 32-bit glibc directly
 export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$SERVER_DIR/bin:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH"
 
+# Disable tcmalloc by renaming the library if it exists (fallback to system malloc)
+if [[ -f "$SERVER_DIR/bin/libtcmalloc_minimal.so.4" ]]; then
+    log_info "Disabling tcmalloc to prevent memory allocation crashes..."
+    mv "$SERVER_DIR/bin/libtcmalloc_minimal.so.4" "$SERVER_DIR/bin/libtcmalloc_minimal.so.4.disabled" 2>/dev/null || true
+fi
+
 # Start the server directly (not via srcds_run to avoid script issues)
 cd "$SERVER_DIR"
 exec ./srcds_linux $ARGS -norestart -nohltv -condebug

scripts/start.sh

@@ -57,9 +57,13 @@ else
 fi
 
 # Add workshop collection if provided
+# NOTE: Make sure WORKSHOP_COLLECTION is a COLLECTION ID, not an individual item ID!
+# You can verify at: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=YOUR_ID
+# If it says "Collection" it's valid. If it says "Addon" it will fail with "Item is not a collection!"
 if [[ -n "$WORKSHOP_COLLECTION" ]]; then
     ARGS="$ARGS +host_workshop_collection $WORKSHOP_COLLECTION"
     echo -e "${BLUE}[INFO]${NC} Workshop collection: $WORKSHOP_COLLECTION"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}[WARNING]${NC} Ensure this is a Collection ID, not an individual addon ID!"
 fi
 
 echo ""
@@ -70,6 +74,13 @@ echo "  • Port: $PORT"
 echo "  • Gamemode: $GAMEMODE"
 echo ""
 
+# Disable tcmalloc which causes segfaults with large memory allocations
+# The error "tcmalloc: large alloc XXXXXXX bytes == (nil)" indicates memory allocation failure
+if [[ -f "$SERVER_DIR/bin/libtcmalloc_minimal.so.4" ]]; then
+    echo -e "${BLUE}[INFO]${NC} Disabling tcmalloc to prevent memory allocation crashes..."
+    mv "$SERVER_DIR/bin/libtcmalloc_minimal.so.4" "$SERVER_DIR/bin/libtcmalloc_minimal.so.4.disabled" 2>/dev/null || true
+fi
+
 echo -e "${GREEN}Starting server...${NC}"
 
 # Start the server

workshop/README.md

@@ -14,6 +14,25 @@ Here are some popular PropHunt workshop collections you can use:
    host_workshop_collection "YOUR_COLLECTION_ID"
    ```
 
+### ⚠️ IMPORTANT: Collection vs Addon IDs
+
+**The WORKSHOP_COLLECTION setting MUST be a Collection ID, NOT an individual addon ID!**
+
+To verify your ID is correct:
+1. Go to: `https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=YOUR_ID`
+2. Look at the page - it should say **"Collection"** at the top
+3. If it says "Addon" or shows a single item, it's NOT a collection!
+
+**If you use an addon ID instead of a collection ID, you'll see this error:**
+```
+Processing collection XXXXX...
+   Item is not a collection!
+   Collection 'Name' (0 items)
+   Reported 0 items, skipping
+```
+
+**Fix:** Create your own collection containing the addons you want, or find an existing PropHunt collection.
+
 ### Essential Content to Include
 
 Your workshop collection should include: