process

Manages running processes -- ensures processes are running or stopped, with optional count enforcement and automatic restart.

Parameters

Parameter	Required	Default	Description
`process`	Yes	--	Process name to match.
`state`	Yes	--	Desired state: `running` or `stopped`.
`signal`	No	`TERM`	Signal to send when stopping processes.
`match_mode`	No	`exact`	Match mode: `exact` (process name equals) or `pattern` (regex match via `pgrep -f`).
`count`	No	--	Exact number of matching processes expected. If the count differs, triggers action.
`min`	No	--	Minimum number of matching processes. Below this triggers action.
`max`	No	--	Maximum number of matching processes. Above this kills excess.
`restart_method`	No	--	Restart method to use if the process is not running (e.g., `systemctl`).
`restart_unit`	No	--	Systemd unit to restart via `systemctl restart`.
`kill_timeout`	No	--	When `true`, kill excess processes that exceed the count/max threshold.

States

running -- Ensure at least one matching process is running. If none found, attempt restart.
stopped -- Ensure no matching processes are running. Sends the specified signal to kill them.

Idempotency

Uses pgrep to check if matching processes exist. For state: running, if processes are found (and count constraints are satisfied), no action is taken. For state: stopped, if no matching processes exist, no action is taken.

Examples

Basic

resources:
  - name: Ensure nginx is running
    type: process
    process: nginx
    state: running
    restart_unit: nginx

Stop a process

resources:
  - name: Stop legacy worker
    type: process
    process: legacy-worker
    state: stopped
    signal: TERM

Pattern matching with count

resources:
  - name: Ensure worker pool
    type: process
    process: "myapp-worker"
    match_mode: pattern
    min: "4"
    max: "8"

With when

resources:
  - name: Ensure sshd running
    type: process
    process: sshd
    state: running
    when: "!is_container"

Platform

Cross-platform. Uses pgrep/pkill which must be available on the system.

Notes

The restart_method parameter specifies how to restart the process (e.g., systemctl). restart_unit is a convenience that specifies which systemd unit to restart.
When state: stopped, the executor sends the specified signal using pkill.
Count constraints (count, min, max) provide fine-grained control over process pool sizes.