zfinix/aster/background-processes

Background processes

1. Never run a server in the foreground of a tool call. It runs until the

timeout kills it and the round is wasted. Background it and detach: bash -lc "nohup bun run dev > /tmp/dev.log 2>&1 & echo started".

1. Logs go to a file, not the pipe. A backgrounded process writing to the

pipe keeps the call alive. Redirect to /tmp/<name>.log, then read the log with tail -20 /tmp/<name>.log in a later call.

1. Wait by polling the port, never by sleeping.

for i in $(seq 1 40); do curl -s localhost:3000 >/dev/null && echo UP && break; sleep 0.5; done

1. Verify it actually started. After the poll, check the log tail for the

startup line or errors: tail -5 /tmp/dev.log. A backgrounded crash looks identical to success until you look.

1. Kill by pattern when done or when restarting.

pkill -f "bun run dev" || true before starting a second instance; two servers on one port is a classic wasted hour.

1. One-shot beats long-lived when possible. Prefer bun run build plus a

static check over starting a dev server, and cargo test over cargo watch. Reach for a background server only when the task needs a live process.