Updates

.env.example

@@ -15,8 +15,9 @@ PEARDATA_DEFAULT_ROLE=viewer
 # PEARDATA_DATA_DIR=./data
 # PEARDATA_RATE_LIMIT_RPM=120
 # PEARDATA_MAX_RECONNECT=20
-# Host journal for Logs tab / GET /api/v*/logs?source=journal (Linux; needs journal ACL)
+# Host journal for Logs tab / GET /api/v*/logs?source=journal (on by default on Linux)
-# PEARDATA_JOURNAL=0
+# Installer adds peardata to systemd-journal. Set to 0 to disable.
+# PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1
 
 # ── Metrics pipeline ─────────────────────────────────────────
 # PEARDATA_SAMPLE_MS=1000

deploy/peardata.service

@@ -14,12 +14,14 @@ TimeoutStartSec=30
 TimeoutStopSec=30
 User=peardata
 Group=peardata
+# Host journal for Logs tab (journalctl). Installer also adds peardata to this group.
+SupplementaryGroups=systemd-journal
 NoNewPrivileges=true
 PrivateTmp=true
 Environment=NODE_ENV=production
+# Journal on by default; override in .env with PEARDATA_JOURNAL=0 to disable
+Environment=PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1
 EnvironmentFile=-/opt/peardata/.env
-# Optional host journal in Logs tab: set PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1 in .env and uncomment:
-# SupplementaryGroups=systemd-journal
 # Identity + HyperDB / metric buffers
 ReadWritePaths=/opt/peardata
 

docs/CONFIGURATION.md

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ Treat `SERVER_SEED` like a root password. Prefer `pd1.` invites for operators.
 | `PEARDATA_STORAGE` | — | Electron/Pear storage dir override (bookmarks prefer `Pear.config.storage`) |
 | `PEARDATA_RATE_LIMIT_RPM` | `120` | Per-peer RPC requests per minute |
 | `PEARDATA_MAX_RECONNECT` | `20` | Client manager reconnect attempts per peer |
-| `PEARDATA_JOURNAL` | off | `1` enables host `journalctl` for Logs / `queryLogs` (Linux; needs journal ACL) |
+| `PEARDATA_JOURNAL` | **on** | Host `journalctl` for Logs / `queryLogs` (Linux). Set `0` to disable. Installer adds `peardata` to `systemd-journal` and sets unit `SupplementaryGroups` |
 
 ```
 data/

docs/GETTING-STARTED.md

@@ -110,12 +110,14 @@ npm start
 
 ## systemd (Linux)
 
-Prefer the [one-line installer](#one-line-installer-recommended) (`--server`). It installs the Bare binary and writes `peardata.service`.
+Prefer the [one-line installer](#one-line-installer-recommended) (`--server`). It installs the Bare binary, writes `peardata.service`, adds `peardata` to **`systemd-journal`**, and enables host journal for the Logs tab (`PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1`).
 
 Manual (matches installer layout):
 
 ```bash
 # After placing peardata-server + .env under /opt/peardata
+sudo useradd --system --home /opt/peardata --shell /usr/sbin/nologin peardata  # if needed
+sudo usermod -aG systemd-journal peardata
 sudo cp deploy/peardata.service /etc/systemd/system/
 sudo systemctl daemon-reload
 sudo systemctl enable --now peardata

docs/PROTOCOL.md

@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ REST parity: `GET /api/v*/weights`. Engine: `server/services/weights.js`.
 | `priority` / `unit` | Journal filters |
 | `limit` / `cursor` | Cap (≤2000) + pagination offset |
 
-Journal requires `PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1` on Linux. REST: `GET /api/v*/logs`. Engine: `server/services/logs.js`. UI: [user-guide/logs.md](../user-guide/logs.md).
+Journal is **enabled by default** on Linux (`PEARDATA_JOURNAL=0` to disable). Installer grants `systemd-journal` to the agent user. REST: `GET /api/v*/logs`. Engine: `server/services/logs.js`. UI: [user-guide/logs.md](../user-guide/logs.md).
 
 ### Live subscriptions
 

docs/SECURITY.md

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 - [ ] Run under systemd with `ProtectSystem` / `NoNewPrivileges` (see `deploy/`)
 - [ ] Do not embed seed in frontend builds, CI logs, or crash reports
 - [ ] Review `LOG_LEVEL=debug` before production (avoid verbose auth noise)
-- [ ] Keep `PEARDATA_JOURNAL` off unless operators need host logs; journal access is **admin-only** over P2P and can expose secrets from other units — add `SupplementaryGroups=systemd-journal` only when enabling
+- [ ] Journal is **on by default** (admin-only over P2P); it can expose secrets from other units — set `PEARDATA_JOURNAL=0` if you do not want host log access
 - [ ] Keep Pear / dependency updates current (`npm outdated`)
 
 ## Threat notes
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ Implementation: `shared/crypto-auth.js`.
 | `.env` | Critical | Never commit; backup offline |
 | `data/peer-policy.json` | High | Contains roles & JTIs |
 | `data/audit.log` | Medium | Peer activity metadata; readable via Logs/audit (admin) |
-| Host journal (`PEARDATA_JOURNAL`) | High | May include secrets from other units; admin-only; off by default |
+| Host journal (`PEARDATA_JOURNAL`) | High | May include secrets from other units; admin-only; **on by default** (disable with `=0`) |
 | `identity.json` | High for that user | Per-machine client secret |
 | Release tarballs | Low | Source only; no secrets |
 

docs/TESTING.md

@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ When adding an RPC method:
 | Metric Correlations | Charts → Correlate → brush ≥15s → Find Correlations → wall filters; Clear restores; Related ⇢ still works |
 | Charts Filters | Filters closed → full-width wall; `/` opens search; chip when filter active; Esc closes panel |
 | Weights REST | `curl -sG 'http://127.0.0.1:19999/api/v3/weights' --data-urlencode 'method=volume' --data-urlencode 'after=-60' --data-urlencode 'before=0'` |
-| Logs | Logs tab → Anomalies search; admin → Audit; with `PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1` → Journal |
+| Logs | Logs tab defaults to Journal (admin); Anomalies for viewers; Audit admin-only |
 | Logs REST | `curl -sG 'http://127.0.0.1:19999/api/v3/logs' --data-urlencode 'source=anomaly' --data-urlencode 'limit=20'` |
 
 ## Soak test

index.html

@@ -278,9 +278,9 @@
         </header>
         <div class="logs-toolbar">
           <div id="logs-sources" class="logs-sources" role="tablist" aria-label="Log source">
-            <button type="button" class="metrics-tf active" data-log-source="anomaly" role="tab" aria-selected="true">Anomalies</button>
+            <button type="button" class="metrics-tf active" data-log-source="journal" role="tab" aria-selected="true" title="Admin only · host journal (default)">Journal</button>
+            <button type="button" class="metrics-tf" data-log-source="anomaly" role="tab" aria-selected="false">Anomalies</button>
             <button type="button" class="metrics-tf" data-log-source="audit" role="tab" aria-selected="false" title="Admin only">Audit</button>
-            <button type="button" class="metrics-tf" data-log-source="journal" role="tab" aria-selected="false" title="Admin only · PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1">Journal</button>
           </div>
           <div class="logs-search-row">
             <input id="logs-q" type="search" placeholder="Search message…" autocomplete="off" />

scripts/install.sh

@@ -321,9 +321,33 @@ install_server() {
   fi
   id peardata >/dev/null 2>&1 || die "peardata user was not created"
 
+  # Host journal access for Logs tab (journalctl as peardata)
+  if getent group systemd-journal >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    log "Adding peardata to systemd-journal for host log access…"
+    if command -v usermod >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      run_root usermod -aG systemd-journal peardata || warn "usermod -aG systemd-journal peardata failed"
+    elif command -v gpasswd >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      run_root gpasswd -a peardata systemd-journal || warn "gpasswd -a peardata systemd-journal failed"
+    else
+      warn "Could not add peardata to systemd-journal (no usermod/gpasswd)"
+    fi
+  else
+    warn "Group systemd-journal not found — host Journal in Logs may be unavailable"
+  fi
+
+  # Ensure journal is enabled in .env (default on; operators may set PEARDATA_JOURNAL=0)
+  if ! run_root grep -qE '^PEARDATA_JOURNAL=' "${SERVER_DIR}/.env" 2>/dev/null; then
+    log "Enabling PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1 in ${SERVER_DIR}/.env"
+    run_root sh -c "printf '\\n# Host journal for Logs tab (set to 0 to disable)\\nPEARDATA_JOURNAL=1\\n' >> '${SERVER_DIR}/.env'"
+  fi
+
   run_root chown -R peardata:peardata "$SERVER_DIR" 2>/dev/null || run_root chown -R peardata "$SERVER_DIR"
 
   unit_path="/etc/systemd/system/peardata.service"
+  local journal_group_line=""
+  if getent group systemd-journal >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    journal_group_line="SupplementaryGroups=systemd-journal"
+  fi
   log "Writing ${unit_path}…"
   run_root tee "$unit_path" >/dev/null <<EOF
 [Unit]
@@ -342,9 +366,11 @@ TimeoutStartSec=30
 TimeoutStopSec=30
 User=peardata
 Group=peardata
+${journal_group_line}
 NoNewPrivileges=true
 PrivateTmp=true
 Environment=NODE_ENV=production
+Environment=PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1
 EnvironmentFile=-${SERVER_DIR}/.env
 # Identity + HyperDB / ring buffers
 ReadWritePaths=${SERVER_DIR}
@@ -380,6 +406,7 @@ ${C_BOLD}Server installed${C_RESET}
   Config:  ${SERVER_DIR}/.env   ${C_BOLD}← check this file for your keys${C_RESET}
   Data:    ${SERVER_DIR}/data
   Service: peardata.service
+  Journal: peardata ∈ systemd-journal · PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1 (Logs tab)
   REST:    http://127.0.0.1:19999/api/v3/info  (localhost by default)
 
 ${C_BOLD}Keys (written on first successful start)${C_RESET}

server/services/logs.js

@@ -209,9 +209,13 @@ export function buildJournalArgv(opts = {}) {
   return args
 }
 
+/** Host journal is on by default; set PEARDATA_JOURNAL=0 to disable. */
 export function isJournalEnabled() {
-  const v = String(process.env.PEARDATA_JOURNAL || '').trim().toLowerCase()
+  const raw = process.env.PEARDATA_JOURNAL
-  return v === '1' || v === 'true' || v === 'yes' || v === 'on'
+  if (raw == null || String(raw).trim() === '') return true
+  const v = String(raw).trim().toLowerCase()
+  if (v === '0' || v === 'false' || v === 'no' || v === 'off') return false
+  return true
 }
 
 /**
@@ -307,7 +311,7 @@ export async function queryLogs(args = {}, deps = {}) {
       ok: false,
       source,
       error: 'journal_disabled',
-      hint: 'Set PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1 and ensure the agent user can read the journal (e.g. SupplementaryGroups=systemd-journal)',
+      hint: 'Journal disabled (PEARDATA_JOURNAL=0). Re-enable and ensure the agent user is in systemd-journal (installer / SupplementaryGroups)',
       entries: [],
     }
   }

test/logs.test.js

@@ -160,9 +160,12 @@ test('queryLogs audit from temp file', async (t) => {
   t.ok(res.entries[0].message.includes('runJob'))
 })
 
-test('queryLogs journal disabled / unsupported', async (t) => {
+test('queryLogs journal default on / disable / unsupported', async (t) => {
   const prev = process.env.PEARDATA_JOURNAL
   delete process.env.PEARDATA_JOURNAL
+  t.ok(isJournalEnabled(), 'journal enabled by default')
+
+  process.env.PEARDATA_JOURNAL = '0'
   t.absent(isJournalEnabled())
   const off = await queryLogs({ source: 'journal', role: Roles.admin })
   t.absent(off.ok)
@@ -175,7 +178,6 @@ test('queryLogs journal disabled / unsupported', async (t) => {
     t.absent(uns.ok)
     t.is(uns.error, 'unsupported')
   } else {
-    // On Linux with journal enabled, inject a fake spawn that fails cleanly
     const res = await queryLogs(
       { source: 'journal', role: Roles.admin, limit: 5 },
       {

ui/logs.js

@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ import { Roles, roleAllows } from '../shared/protocol.js'
  */
 export function createLogsView(opts) {
   const state = {
-    source: 'anomaly',
+    /** Prefer host journal; falls back to anomaly when not admin */
+    source: 'journal',
     range: '1h',
     loading: false,
   }

user-guide/logs.md

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ The **Logs** tab searches recent events from the active agent: anomalies, the ag
 |--------|----------------|---------------|
 | **Anomalies** | Viewer+ | Threshold / z-score events (same family as Alerts) |
 | **Audit** | Admin | Mutating RPC trail from `data/audit.log` |
-| **Journal** | Admin | Host `journalctl` lines (Linux, opt-in) |
+| **Journal** (default) | Admin | Host `journalctl` lines (Linux; on by default) |
 
 Audit and Journal tabs are disabled for non-admin sessions (tooltip explains why).
 
@@ -22,15 +22,15 @@ Audit and Journal tabs are disabled for non-admin sessions (tooltip explains why
 
 Results show severity, message (monospace), time, and unit. Anomaly rows offer **Show** / **Correlate** like the Alerts tab.
 
-## Enabling host journal
+## Host journal (default on)
 
-Default is **off** (no `journalctl` spawn).
+The one-line / `--server` installer:
 
-1. Set `PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1` on the agent.  
+1. Adds the `peardata` user to the **`systemd-journal`** group  
-2. Ensure the agent user can read the journal (often `SupplementaryGroups=systemd-journal` in the systemd unit).  
+2. Sets unit **`SupplementaryGroups=systemd-journal`**  
-3. Restart the agent.
+3. Writes **`PEARDATA_JOURNAL=1`** into `/opt/peardata/.env` (and the unit Environment)
 
-Without this, Journal returns a clear “disabled” hint. Non-Linux agents always report journal as unsupported.
+To disable: set `PEARDATA_JOURNAL=0` in `.env` and restart. Non-Linux agents report journal as unsupported.
 
 See [CONFIGURATION](../docs/CONFIGURATION.md) and [SECURITY](../docs/SECURITY.md).