Pulse for Proxmox

Real-time monitoring for Proxmox VE and PBS with alerts and webhooks.

💖 Support Pulse Development

Pulse is built by a solo developer in evenings and weekends. Your support helps:

• Keep me motivated to add new features
• Prioritize bug fixes and user requests
• Ensure Pulse stays 100% free and open-source forever

Not ready to sponsor? Star ⭐ the project or share it with your homelab community!

Features

• Auto-Discovery: Finds Proxmox nodes on your network, one-liner setup via generated scripts
• Cluster Support: Configure one node, monitor entire cluster
• Enterprise Security:
  • Credentials encrypted at rest, masked in logs, never sent to frontend
  • CSRF protection for all state-changing operations
  • Rate limiting (500 req/min general, 10 attempts/min for auth)
  • Account lockout after failed login attempts
  • Secure session management with HttpOnly cookies
  • bcrypt password hashing (cost 12) - passwords NEVER stored in plain text
  • API tokens stored securely with restricted file permissions
  • Security headers (CSP, X-Frame-Options, etc.)
  • Comprehensive audit logging
• Live monitoring of VMs, containers, nodes, storage
• Alerts with email and webhooks (Discord, Slack, Telegram, Teams, ntfy.sh, Gotify)
• Unified view of PBS backups, PVE backups, and snapshots
• Config export/import with encryption and authentication
• Dark/light themes, responsive design
• Built with Go for minimal resource usage

Screenshots →

Quick Start

Install

# Option A: Proxmox Helper Script (creates LXC container)
bash -c "$(wget -qLO - https://github.com/community-scripts/ProxmoxVE/raw/main/ct/pulse.sh)"

# Option B: Docker
docker run -d -p 7655:7655 -v pulse_data:/data rcourtman/pulse:latest

# Option C: Manual install (latest stable)
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rcourtman/Pulse/main/install.sh | sudo bash

# Install specific version or release channel
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rcourtman/Pulse/main/install.sh | sudo bash -s -- --rc     # Latest RC
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rcourtman/Pulse/main/install.sh | sudo bash -s -- --version v4.5.0  # Specific version

Initial Setup

Option A: Interactive Setup (UI)

1. Open http://<your-server>:7655
2. Complete the mandatory security setup (first-time only)
3. Create your admin username and password
4. Save the generated API token for automation

Option B: Automated Setup (No UI) For automated deployments, configure authentication via environment variables:

# Start Pulse with auth pre-configured - skips setup screen
API_TOKEN=your-api-token ./pulse

# Or use basic auth
PULSE_AUTH_USER=admin PULSE_AUTH_PASS=password ./pulse

# Plain text credentials are automatically hashed for security
# You can also provide pre-hashed values if preferred

See Configuration Guide for details.

Configure Nodes

1. After login, go to Settings → Nodes
2. Discovered nodes appear automatically
3. Click "Setup Script" next to any node
4. Run the generated one-liner on that node
5. Node is configured and monitoring starts

The script handles user creation, permissions, token generation, and registration automatically.

Docker

Basic

docker run -d \
  --name pulse \
  -p 7655:7655 \
  -v pulse_data:/data \
  --restart unless-stopped \
  rcourtman/pulse:latest

Network Discovery

Pulse automatically discovers Proxmox nodes on your network! By default, it scans:

• 192.168.0.0/16 (home networks)
• 10.0.0.0/8 (private networks)
• 172.16.0.0/12 (Docker/internal networks)

To scan a custom subnet instead:

docker run -d \
  --name pulse \
  -p 7655:7655 \
  -v pulse_data:/data \
  -e DISCOVERY_SUBNET="192.168.50.0/24" \
  --restart unless-stopped \
  rcourtman/pulse:latest

Automated Deployment

# Deploy with authentication pre-configured
docker run -d \
  --name pulse \
  -p 7655:7655 \
  -v pulse_data:/data \
  -e API_TOKEN="your-secure-token" \
  -e PULSE_AUTH_USER="admin" \
  -e PULSE_AUTH_PASS="your-password" \
  --restart unless-stopped \
  rcourtman/pulse:latest

# Plain text credentials are automatically hashed for security
# No setup required - API works immediately

Docker Compose

services:
  pulse:
    image: rcourtman/pulse:latest
    container_name: pulse
    ports:
      - "7655:7655"
    volumes:
      - pulse_data:/data
    environment:
      # NOTE: Env vars override UI settings. Remove env var to allow UI configuration.
      
      # Network discovery (usually not needed - auto-scans common networks)
      # - DISCOVERY_SUBNET=192.168.50.0/24  # Only for non-standard networks
      
      # Ports
      # - PORT=7655                         # Backend port (default: 7655)
      # - FRONTEND_PORT=7655                # Frontend port (default: 7655)
      
      # Security (all optional - runs open by default)
      # - PULSE_AUTH_USER=admin             # Username for web UI login
      # - PULSE_AUTH_PASS=your-password     # Plain text or bcrypt hash (auto-hashed if plain)
      # - API_TOKEN=your-token              # Plain text or SHA3-256 hash (auto-hashed if plain)
      # - ALLOW_UNPROTECTED_EXPORT=false    # Allow export without auth (default: false)
      
      # 🔒 Security: Plain text credentials are automatically hashed
      # You can provide either:
      # 1. Plain text (auto-hashed): PULSE_AUTH_PASS=mypassword
      # 2. Pre-hashed (advanced): PULSE_AUTH_PASS='$$2a$$12$$...'
      #    Note: Escape $ as $$ in docker-compose.yml for pre-hashed values
      
      # Performance
      # - CONNECTION_TIMEOUT=10             # Connection timeout in seconds (default: 10)
      
      # CORS & logging
      # - ALLOWED_ORIGINS=https://app.example.com  # CORS origins (default: none, same-origin only)
      # - LOG_LEVEL=info                    # Log level: debug/info/warn/error (default: info)
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  pulse_data:

Security

• Authentication required - Protects your Proxmox infrastructure credentials
• Quick setup wizard - Secure your installation in under a minute
• Multiple auth methods: Password authentication, API tokens, or both
• Enterprise-grade protection:
  • Credentials encrypted at rest (AES-256-GCM)
  • CSRF tokens for state-changing operations
  • Rate limiting and account lockout protection
  • Secure session management with HttpOnly cookies
  • bcrypt password hashing (cost 12) - passwords NEVER stored in plain text
  • API tokens stored securely with restricted file permissions
  • Security headers (CSP, X-Frame-Options, etc.)
  • Comprehensive audit logging
• Security by design:
  • Frontend never receives node credentials
  • API tokens visible only to authenticated users
  • Export/import requires authentication when configured

See Security Documentation for details.

Updating

Update Notifications

Pulse checks for updates and displays notifications in the UI when new versions are available. For security reasons, updates must be installed manually using the appropriate method for your deployment.

ProxmoxVE LXC Container

If you installed Pulse using the ProxmoxVE Helper Script:

# Simply type 'update' in the LXC console
update

The ProxmoxVE script handles everything automatically.

Manual Installation (systemd)

# Update to latest stable
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rcourtman/Pulse/main/install.sh | sudo bash

# Update to latest RC/pre-release  
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rcourtman/Pulse/main/install.sh | sudo bash -s -- --rc

# Install specific version
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rcourtman/Pulse/main/install.sh | sudo bash -s -- --version v4.5.0-rc.1

Docker Updates

# Latest stable
docker pull rcourtman/pulse:latest

# Latest RC
docker pull rcourtman/pulse:rc

# Specific version
docker pull rcourtman/pulse:v4.5.0-rc.1

Configuration

Quick start - most settings are in the web UI:

• Settings → Nodes: Add/remove Proxmox instances
• Settings → System: Polling intervals, timeouts, update settings
• Settings → Security: Authentication and API tokens
• Alerts: Thresholds and notifications

Configuration Files

Pulse uses three separate configuration files with clear separation of concerns:

• .env - Authentication credentials only
• system.json - Application settings
• nodes.enc - Encrypted node credentials

See docs/CONFIGURATION.md for detailed documentation on configuration structure and management.

Email Alerts Configuration

Configure email notifications in Settings → Alerts → Email Destinations

Supported Providers

• Gmail/Google Workspace: Requires app-specific password
• Outlook/Office 365: Requires app-specific password
• Custom SMTP: Any SMTP server

Recommended Settings

• Port 587 with STARTTLS (recommended for most providers)
• Port 465 for SSL/TLS
• Port 25 for unencrypted (not recommended)

Gmail Setup

1. Enable 2-factor authentication
2. Generate app-specific password at https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
3. Use your email as username and app password as password
4. Server: smtp.gmail.com, Port: 587, Enable STARTTLS

Outlook Setup

1. Generate app password at https://account.microsoft.com/security
2. Use your email as username and app password as password
3. Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com, Port: 587, Enable STARTTLS

Alert Configuration

Pulse provides two complementary approaches for managing alerts:

Custom Alert Rules (Permanent Policy)

Configure persistent alert policies in Settings → Alerts → Custom Rules:

• Define thresholds for specific VMs/containers based on name patterns
• Set different thresholds for production vs development environments
• Create complex rules with AND/OR logic
• Manage all rules through the UI with priority ordering

Use for: Long-term alert policies like "all database VMs should alert at 90%"

HTTPS/TLS Configuration

Enable HTTPS by setting these environment variables:

# Systemd: sudo systemctl edit pulse-backend
Environment="HTTPS_ENABLED=true"
Environment="TLS_CERT_FILE=/etc/pulse/cert.pem"
Environment="TLS_KEY_FILE=/etc/pulse/key.pem"

# Docker
docker run -d -p 7655:7655 \
  -e HTTPS_ENABLED=true \
  -e TLS_CERT_FILE=/data/cert.pem \
  -e TLS_KEY_FILE=/data/key.pem \
  -v pulse_data:/data \
  -v /path/to/certs:/data/certs:ro \
  rcourtman/pulse:latest

For deployment overrides (ports, etc), use environment variables:

# Systemd: sudo systemctl edit pulse-backend
Environment="FRONTEND_PORT=8080"

# Docker: -e FRONTEND_PORT=8080

📖 Full Configuration Guide →

Backup/Restore

Via UI (recommended):

• Settings → Security → Backup & Restore
• Export: Choose login password or custom passphrase for encryption
• Import: Upload backup file with passphrase
• Includes all settings, nodes, and custom console URLs

Via CLI:

# Export (v4.0.3+)
pulse config export -o backup.enc

# Import
pulse config import -i backup.enc

Updates

Pulse shows when updates are available and provides deployment-specific instructions:

ProxmoxVE LXC Container

Type update in the LXC console - the script handles everything automatically

Docker

docker pull rcourtman/pulse:latest
docker stop pulse
docker rm pulse
# Run docker run command again with your settings

Manual Install

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rcourtman/Pulse/main/install.sh | sudo bash

The UI will detect your deployment type and show the appropriate update method when a new version is available.

API

# Status
curl http://localhost:7655/api/health

# Metrics (default time range: 1h)
curl http://localhost:7655/api/charts

# With authentication (if configured)
curl -H "X-API-Token: your-token" http://localhost:7655/api/health

📖 Full API Documentation → - Complete endpoint reference with examples

Reverse Proxy

Using Pulse behind a reverse proxy? WebSocket support is required for real-time updates.

See Reverse Proxy Configuration Guide for nginx, Caddy, Apache, Traefik, HAProxy, and Cloudflare Tunnel configurations.

Troubleshooting

Authentication Issues

Cannot login after setting up security

• Docker: Ensure bcrypt hash is exactly 60 characters and wrapped in single quotes
• Docker Compose: MUST escape $ characters as (e.g., $$2a$$12$$...)
• Example (docker run): PULSE_AUTH_PASS='$2a$12$YTZXOCEylj4TaevZ0DCeI.notayQZ..b0OZ97lUZ.Q24fljLiMQHK'
• Example (docker-compose.yml): PULSE_AUTH_PASS='$$2a$$12$$YTZXOCEylj4TaevZ0DCeI.notayQZ..b0OZ97lUZ.Q24fljLiMQHK'
• If hash is truncated or mangled, authentication will fail
• Use Quick Security Setup in the UI to avoid manual configuration errors

.env file not created (Docker)

• Expected behavior: When using environment variables, no .env file is created in /data
• The .env file is only created when using Quick Security Setup or password changes
• If you provide credentials via environment variables, they take precedence
• To use Quick Security Setup: Start container WITHOUT auth environment variables

Connection Issues

• Check Proxmox API is accessible (port 8006/8007)
• Verify credentials have PVEAuditor role minimum
• For PBS: ensure API token has Datastore.Audit permission

High CPU/Memory

• Reduce polling interval in Settings
• Check number of monitored nodes
• Disable unused features (backups, snapshots)

Logs

# Docker
docker logs pulse

# Manual
journalctl -u pulse -f

Documentation

• Docker Guide - Complete Docker deployment guide
• Configuration Guide - Complete setup and configuration
• Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions
• API Reference - REST API endpoints and examples
• Webhook Guide - Setting up webhooks and custom payloads
• Reverse Proxy Setup - nginx, Caddy, Apache, Traefik configs
• Security - Security features and best practices
• FAQ - Common questions and troubleshooting
• Migration Guide - Backup and migration procedures

Security

• Mandatory authentication protects your infrastructure
• Credentials stored encrypted (AES-256-GCM)
• API token support for automation
• Export/import requires authentication
• Security Details →

Development

Quick Start - Hot Reload (Recommended)

# Best development experience with instant frontend updates
./scripts/hot-dev.sh
# Frontend: http://localhost:5173 (hot reload)
# Backend: http://localhost:7655

Production-like Development

# Watches files and rebuilds/embeds frontend into Go binary
./dev.sh
# Access at: http://localhost:7655

Manual Development

# Frontend only
cd frontend-modern
npm install
npm run dev

# Backend only
go build -o pulse ./cmd/pulse
./pulse

# Or use make for full rebuild
make dev

Links

• Releases
• Docker Hub
• Issues

License

MIT - See LICENSE