Unable to bootstrap initial setup on Gentoo/OpenRC or non-Docker systems (no config, no wizard, exits immediately) #1251

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MrUnknownDE · 2026-04-05T18:36:51+02:00

MrUnknownDE commented

2026-04-05 18:36:51 +02:00

Originally created by @erictwo on 7/10/2025

I’m trying to run Pangolin on Gentoo Linux (using OpenRC, not systemd), and hitting a brick wall with initial setup.

The binary (built from source or via ebuild) immediately exits with an error if no config file is present.
If I try running pangolin serve (or with --config and a minimal config), it always enters the CLI wizard, but once I finish the wizard, the process exits immediately. It does not stay running to let me finish setup in the web browser.
The official Docker image also exits with "No configuration file found. Please create one."—it does not create a config or run any interactive wizard.
As a result, there is no clear path to bootstrapping Pangolin on non-Docker, non-systemd systems.

Is there a supported way to generate the initial config, database, and admin user on non-Docker, non-systemd Linux systems (like Gentoo with OpenRC)?

Steps to reproduce:

Install Pangolin binary or run Docker image on Gentoo (OpenRC).
Run without a config file present.
Observe immediate exit and no way to finish setup in web.

What I’ve tried:

Running the binary as root, normal user, and in a clean directory.
Supplying a minimal config.yml by hand (based on docs).
Running the official Docker image (with/without a config volume).
Creating and moving config files and folders around.
Debug logs show no further info—process simply exits.

What’s the recommended way to do initial setup for a self-hosted install on non-Docker, non-systemd Linux?

*Originally created by @erictwo on 7/10/2025* I’m trying to run Pangolin on Gentoo Linux (using OpenRC, not systemd), and hitting a brick wall with initial setup. - The binary (built from source or via ebuild) immediately exits with an error if no config file is present. - If I try running `pangolin serve` (or with `--config` and a minimal config), it always enters the CLI wizard, but once I finish the wizard, the process exits immediately. It does **not** stay running to let me finish setup in the web browser. - The official Docker image also exits with "No configuration file found. Please create one."—it does not create a config or run any interactive wizard. - As a result, there is no clear path to *bootstrapping* Pangolin on non-Docker, non-systemd systems. **Is there a supported way to generate the initial config, database, and admin user on non-Docker, non-systemd Linux systems (like Gentoo with OpenRC)?** Steps to reproduce: 1. Install Pangolin binary or run Docker image on Gentoo (OpenRC). 2. Run without a config file present. 3. Observe immediate exit and no way to finish setup in web. **What I’ve tried:** - Running the binary as root, normal user, and in a clean directory. - Supplying a minimal config.yml by hand (based on docs). - Running the official Docker image (with/without a config volume). - Creating and moving config files and folders around. - Debug logs show no further info—process simply exits. **What’s the recommended way to do initial setup for a self-hosted install on non-Docker, non-systemd Linux?**

MrUnknownDE closed this issue

2026-04-05 18:36:51 +02:00

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Reference: github/pangolin#1251