Linux & service basics: logs, systemd/PM2, permissions, Nginx reverse proxy, DNS checks

PURPOSE

Diagnoses common Linux service issues using logs, systemd/PM2, file permissions, Nginx reverse proxy checks, and DNS sanity checks.

WHEN TO USE

• TRIGGERS:
• Show me why this service is failing using logs, then give the exact fix commands.
• Restart this app cleanly and confirm it is listening on the right port.
• Fix the permissions on this folder so the service can read and write safely.
• Set up Nginx reverse proxy for this port and verify DNS and TLS are sane.
• Create a systemd service for this script and make it survive reboots.
• DO NOT USE WHEN…
• You need kernel debugging or deep performance profiling.
• You want to exploit systems or bypass access controls.

INPUTS

• REQUIRED:
• Service type: systemd unit name or PM2 process name.
• Observed symptom: error message, status output, or logs (pasted by user).
• OPTIONAL:
• Nginx config snippet, domain name, expected upstream port.
• Filesystem paths used by the service.
• EXAMPLES:
• systemctl status myapp output + journalctl excerpt
• Nginx server block + domain + upstream port

OUTPUTS

• Default: triage report (likely cause, evidence from logs, minimal fix plan).
• If explicitly requested and safe: exact shell commands to apply the fix.

Success = service runs, listens on expected port, and reverse proxy/DNS path is correct.

WORKFLOW

1. Confirm scope and safety:

• identify service name and whether changes are permitted.

1. Gather evidence:

• status output + recent logs (see references/triage-commands.md).

1. Classify failure:

• config error, dependency missing, permission denied, port conflict, upstream unreachable, DNS mismatch.

1. Propose minimal fix + verification steps.
2. Validate network path (if web service):

• app listens → Nginx proxies → DNS resolves → (TLS sanity if applicable).

1. Provide restart/reload plan and confirm health checks.
2. STOP AND ASK THE USER if:

• logs/status output are missing,
• actions require privileged access not confirmed,
• TLS/cert management is required but setup is unknown.

OUTPUT FORMAT

TRIAGE REPORT
- Symptom:
- Evidence (what you provided):
- Most likely cause:
- Fix plan (minimal steps):
- Exact commands (ONLY if user approved changes):
- Verification:
- Rollback:

SAFETY & EDGE CASES

• Read-only by default: diagnose from provided outputs; do not assume you can run commands.
• Avoid destructive changes; require explicit confirmation for anything risky.
• Prefer nginx -t before reload and verify ports with ss.

EXAMPLES

• Input: “journal shows permission denied on /var/app/uploads.”

Output: path permission analysis + safe chown/chmod plan + verification.

• Input: “App works locally but domain returns 502.”

Output: upstream port checks + nginx error log interpretation + proxy_pass fix plan.