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Log Locations

Access logs for debugging:
ComponentDocker CommandDirect Path (if not containerized)
Backenddocker compose logs -f bitbonsai-backendjournalctl -u bitbonsai-backend -f
Frontenddocker compose logs -f bitbonsai-frontend/var/log/bitbonsai-frontend.log
PostgreSQLdocker compose logs -f postgres/var/lib/postgresql/data/log/
FFmpeg OutputCheck job details in UI/tmp/bitbonsai/encoding-*/ffmpeg.log
Add -f flag to follow logs in real-time: docker compose logs -f bitbonsai-backend

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Full System Reset (Nuclear Option)

This will delete all job history and settings. Use only as last resort.
# Stop all services
docker compose down

# Remove all data (CAUTION: Irreversible)
docker volume rm bitbonsai_postgres-data

# Remove temp files
rm -rf /path/to/temp/bitbonsai/*

# Start fresh
docker compose up -d

# Verify clean startup
docker compose logs bitbonsai-backend | grep "Application listening"

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Database Backup & Restore

Backup: 
# Create backup
docker compose exec postgres pg_dump -U bitbonsai bitbonsai > backup-$(date +%Y%m%d).sql

# Verify backup
ls -lh backup-*.sql
Restore: 
# Stop backend (to prevent write conflicts)
docker compose stop bitbonsai-backend

# Restore from backup
docker compose exec -T postgres psql -U bitbonsai -d bitbonsai < backup-20260111.sql

# Restart backend
docker compose start bitbonsai-backend

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Reset Stuck Jobs (Safe)

Reset all jobs to fresh state without losing configuration: 
-- Connect to database
docker compose exec postgres psql -U bitbonsai -d bitbonsai

-- Reset all jobs to QUEUED
UPDATE "EncodingJob"
SET status = 'QUEUED',
    progress = 0,
    "assignedNodeId" = NULL,
    "startedAt" = NULL,
    "completedAt" = NULL
WHERE status IN ('ENCODING', 'CORRUPTED', 'FAILED');

-- Verify reset
SELECT status, COUNT(*) FROM "EncodingJob" GROUP BY status;

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When to Report Bugs

If you’ve tried the above fixes and still experiencing issues, please report to GitHub:

Report Issue on GitHub

Create a new issue with logs and reproduction steps
Include in your report:
  1. BitBonsai version (docker compose images | grep bitbonsai)
  2. Deployment method (Docker Compose, Unraid, LXC)
  3. Node configuration (single vs. multi-node)
  4. Full error logs (use docker compose logs --tail=100 bitbonsai-backend)
  5. Steps to reproduce the issue
  6. Expected vs. actual behavior

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Next Steps

Advanced Debugging

Enable debug logging, monitor resources, network debugging

Common Errors

Fix specific error messages and issues