Pulse/docs/PORT_CONFIGURATION.md
2025-10-11 23:29:47 +00:00

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# Port Configuration Guide
Pulse supports multiple ways to configure the frontend port (default: 7655).
> **Development tip:** The hot-reload scripts (`scripts/dev-hot.sh`, `scripts/hot-dev.sh`, and `make dev-hot`) load `.env`, `.env.local`, and `.env.dev`. Set `FRONTEND_PORT` or `PULSE_DEV_API_PORT` there to run the backend on a different port while keeping the generated `curl` commands and Vite proxy in sync.
## Recommended Methods
### 1. During Installation (Easiest)
The installer prompts for the port. To skip the prompt, use:
```bash
FRONTEND_PORT=8080 curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rcourtman/Pulse/main/install.sh | bash
```
### 2. Using systemd override (For existing installations)
```bash
sudo systemctl edit pulse
```
Add these lines:
```ini
[Service]
Environment="FRONTEND_PORT=8080"
```
Then restart: `sudo systemctl restart pulse`
### 3. Using system.json (Alternative method)
Edit `/etc/pulse/system.json`:
```json
{
"frontendPort": 8080
}
```
Then restart: `sudo systemctl restart pulse`
### 4. Using environment variables (Docker)
For Docker deployments:
```bash
docker run -e FRONTEND_PORT=8080 -p 8080:8080 rcourtman/pulse:latest
```
## Priority Order
Pulse checks for port configuration in this order:
1. `FRONTEND_PORT` environment variable
2. `PORT` environment variable (legacy)
3. `frontendPort` in system.json
4. Default: 7655
Environment variables always override configuration files.
## Why not .env?
The `/etc/pulse/.env` file is reserved exclusively for authentication credentials:
- `API_TOKEN` - API authentication token (hashed)
- `PULSE_AUTH_USER` - Web UI username
- `PULSE_AUTH_PASS` - Web UI password (hashed)
Keeping application configuration separate from authentication credentials:
- Makes it clear what's a secret vs what's configuration
- Allows different permission models if needed
- Follows the principle of separation of concerns
- Makes it easier to backup/share configs without exposing credentials
## Troubleshooting
### Port not changing after configuration?
1. Check which service name is in use:
```bash
systemctl list-units | grep pulse
```
It might be `pulse` or `pulse-backend` depending on your installation method.
2. Verify the configuration is loaded:
```bash
sudo systemctl show pulse | grep Environment
```
3. Check if another process is using the port:
```bash
sudo lsof -i :8080
```