How to run Node.js as a background process and never die?

Question

I connect to the linux server via putty SSH. I tried to run it as a background process like this: $ node server.js & However, after 2.5 hrs the terminal becomes inactive and the process dies. Is there anyway I can keep the process alive even with the terminal disconnected? --- **Edit 1** Actually, I tried `nohup`, but as soon as I close the Putty SSH terminal or unplug my internet, the server process stops right away. Is there anything I have to do in Putty? --- **Edit 2 (on Feb, 2012)** There is a `node.js` module, [forever][1]. It will run node.js server as daemon service. [1]: https://github.com/nodejitsu/forever

Answer 1

PM2 is a production process manager for Node.js apps and is designed to keep apps alive, restart them, manage logs, and configure startup on reboot.

Install PM2:

npm install -g pm2

Start your app:

cd /path/to/your/app

pm2 start server.js --name my-node-app

Check status:

pm2 status

View logs:

pm2 logs my-node-app

Make it restart after server reboot:

pm2 startup