adaptive-multi-protocol-gateway/docs/daemon-management.md

Daemon Management

Status: draft | Updated 2026-07-05 | Applies to: protocol adapters

AMPG can use daemons that already exist on a server or create AMPG-owned daemons when the selected protocol is not running. This keeps simple deployments simple while avoiding surprise edits to operator-owned services.

Ownership rules

Adopted daemons:

• are already installed and healthy.
• keep their existing service manager and primary config ownership.
• receive generated snippets only after the operator approves the plan.
• are never rewritten wholesale by AMPG.

Managed daemons:

• store config under state_dir.
• expose logs and health through AMPG.
• use AMPG-owned ports, sockets, hidden-service dirs, key files, and output roots.
• can be stopped, restarted, or removed by AMPG.

Discovery order

For each enabled protocol, AMPG checks:

1. Explicit config in gateway.toml.
2. AMPG-owned state from previous runs.
3. Common system services and ports.
4. Known config paths for supported daemons.

The result is shown in ampg plan.

Adapter notes

Clearnet

Default daemon: Caddy.

AMPG should usually adopt clearnet ingress instead of managing it. Existing TLS, firewall, and reverse proxy rules are operator-owned. Managed clearnet is useful for development and single-purpose boxes.

Tor

Default daemon: Tor.

If Tor is already running, AMPG can add a hidden service snippet that points to the privacy-html local server. If Tor is missing and policy is auto or manage, AMPG creates an AMPG-owned Tor instance or service unit and stores hidden-service material under the AMPG state directory.

I2P

Default daemon: i2pd.

AMPG first supports server tunnels through i2pd. I2P-Zero can be added as a second adapter with the same interface. Managed I2P must keep destination keys in AMPG state and include backup warnings in the plan.

Gemini

Default daemon: Agate.

Gemini is static-friendly and can be managed safely. AMPG generates .gmi output, certificates when requested, and an Agate config pointing at the Gemini output root.

Reticulum

Default daemon: rnsd or a compatible page server.

Reticulum management is split: AMPG can manage generated Micron pages and a page-serving process, but physical interfaces such as LoRa, serial, packet radio, or custom transports may require explicit operator setup. ampg plan must distinguish page-server readiness from transport-interface readiness.

Safety requirements

• Show every config write before applying it.
• Back up any adopted-daemon snippet AMPG touches.
• Never delete hidden-service keys, I2P keys, or Reticulum identities without an explicit destructive command.
• Refuse to bind public ports when the selected renderer is not built.
• Health-check every enabled protocol after apply.

Reusable checklist

• Adapter detects existing daemon state.
• Adapter can produce a dry-run plan.
• Managed config is isolated under AMPG state.
• Key material is backed up or clearly called out.
• Health check validates the generated site through the selected transport.