How do I run the SEA in a minimal docker image?

[sagar0581]

I have created a my express server as a single executable apps using https://nodejs.org/api/single-executable-applications.html . Since it is a direct executable file now, I am trying to run it in a docker environment with minimal external dependencies.
A few ques,

1. Would the compiled binary still require a nodejs runtime? Can I use something like a simple scratch image to run the binary. (I tried but couldn't get it to work)
2. My end goal is to use multistage docker build process. I create my SEA using my main nodejs code. And then move the node executables to a second minimal image and run there. The multi build process ensures that noone can backtrack to first image layers and look at my code.

Something like this,

Use first base image to compile code to SEA

FROM node:alpine as builder

WORKDIR /app

COPY . .

RUN npm run build

All binaries will be saved in /build

RUN mkdir /build
RUN node --experimental-sea-config sea-configs/api.json
RUN cp $(command -v node) /build/api-node-app
RUN npx --yes postject /build/api-node-app NODE_SEA_BLOB --overwrite /build/api.blob --sentinel-fuse NODE_SEA_FUSE_fce680ab2cc467b6e072b8b5df1996b2

Stage 2: Create the final minimal image

FROM gcr.io/distroless/nodejs22-debian12

WORKDIR /app

COPY --from=builder /build /app

Set the default command to run your API binary

CMD ["/app/api-node-app"]