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# Auto-Start Server - Installation Guide

I've created multiple options for keeping the server running automatically. Choose the one that works best for your setup.

---

## Option 1: Background Script (Easiest) ⭐

**Files Created:**
- `start-server-background.sh` - Starts server in background
- `ensure-server-running.sh` - Keeps server running

### Installation:

```bash
# Make scripts executable
chmod +x start-server-background.sh
chmod +x ensure-server-running.sh

# Start the server
./start-server-background.sh

# Add to crontab to keep it running (checks every 5 minutes)
crontab -e

# Add this line:
*/5 * * * * /home/gositeme/domains/lavocat.quebec/public_html/ensure-server-running.sh >> /home/gositeme/domains/lavocat.quebec/public_html/cron.log 2>&1
```

### Usage:

```bash
# Start server
./start-server-background.sh

# Check if running
ps aux | grep "node.*server"

# View logs
tail -f server.log

# Stop server
cat server.pid | xargs kill
```

---

## Option 2: Systemd Service (Recommended for Production)

**File Created:** `lavocat.service`

### Installation:

```bash
# Copy service file to systemd directory
sudo cp lavocat.service /etc/systemd/system/

# Reload systemd
sudo systemctl daemon-reload

# Enable service (starts on boot)
sudo systemctl enable lavocat.service

# Start service
sudo systemctl start lavocat.service

# Check status
sudo systemctl status lavocat.service

# View logs
sudo journalctl -u lavocat.service -f
```

### Commands:

```bash
# Start
sudo systemctl start lavocat

# Stop
sudo systemctl stop lavocat

# Restart
sudo systemctl restart lavocat

# Check status
sudo systemctl status lavocat

# View logs
sudo journalctl -u lavocat -f

# Enable on boot
sudo systemctl enable lavocat
```

---

## Option 3: PM2 Process Manager

**File Created:** `ecosystem.config.js`

### Installation:

```bash
# Install PM2 globally
npm install -g pm2

# Create logs directory
mkdir -p logs

# Start server with PM2
pm2 start ecosystem.config.js

# Save PM2 configuration
pm2 save

# Setup PM2 to start on system boot
pm2 startup

# Follow the instructions shown above
```

### Commands:

```bash
# Start
pm2 start ecosystem.config.js

# Stop
pm2 stop lavocat-quebec

# Restart
pm2 restart lavocat-quebec

# Check status
pm2 status

# View logs
pm2 logs lavocat-quebec

# Monitor
pm2 monit

# Save configuration
pm2 save
```

---

## Option 4: Nohup (Simple)

```bash
# Kill existing server
pkill -f "node.*server"

# Start in background
nohup npm run dev > server.log 2>&1 &

# Save PID
echo $! > server.pid

# Check if running
ps aux | grep "node.*server"

# View logs
tail -f server.log

# Stop
cat server.pid | xargs kill
```

---

## Recommended Setup for DirectAdmin:

Based on your hosting environment, I recommend **Option 1 (Background Script)** with a cron job.

### Quick Start:

```bash
cd /home/gositeme/domains/lavocat.quebec/public_html

# Make scripts executable
chmod +x *.sh

# Start server now
./start-server-background.sh

# Verify it's running
curl http://localhost:3000

# Add to crontab (keeps running)
crontab -e
# Add: */5 * * * * /home/gositeme/domains/lavocat.quebec/public_html/ensure-server-running.sh
```

---

## Troubleshooting:

### Server won't start:
```bash
# Check logs
tail -f server.log

# Check port availability
lsof -i :3000

# Kill existing process
pkill -f "node.*server"
```

### Server stops after a while:
```bash
# Check if cron is running
crontab -l

# Manually run ensure script
./ensure-server-running.sh

# Check system resources
free -h
df -h
```

### Can't access site:
```bash
# Check if server is running
ps aux | grep node

# Check if port is open
netstat -tuln | grep 3000

# Check firewall
sudo ufw status
```

---

## Monitoring:

```bash
# View real-time logs
tail -f server.log

# Check process
ps aux | grep "node.*server"

# Check port
lsof -i :3000

# Monitor resource usage
top -p $(cat server.pid)
```

---

## Files Created:

1. ✅ `start-server-background.sh` - Start script
2. ✅ `ensure-server-running.sh` - Keep-alive script
3. ✅ `lavocat.service` - Systemd service file
4. ✅ `ecosystem.config.js` - PM2 configuration
5. ✅ `INSTALL_AUTO_START.md` - This guide

---

## Next Steps:

1. Choose an option above
2. Run the installation commands
3. Test that server starts
4. Verify site is accessible
5. Set up monitoring

The server will now start automatically and keep running! 🚀