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The background service

mslhd runs every instance. What it is, how it starts, and what to do when it isn't running.

Chapter 8 of 201 min read

On this page 3 sections

The card
When it isn't running
After updating MSL

mslhd is MSL's background service. It runs every instance — the app, the msl command and the Linux apps in your Dock are all just ways of asking it to do things. Without it running, nothing can start.

The card#

The Background service card at the top of the Tools tab:

Start MSL's service automatically — whether it starts when you log in (as a login item, at ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.msl.mslhd.plist). On by default.
Status — Running or Not running.
Log — ~/Library/Logs/MSL/mslhd.log, where it writes what it's doing.

When it isn't running#

With no instance selected, the main window says "MSL's background service isn't running" and offers Start it. If it keeps stopping, the log says why — see The service isn't running.

After updating MSL#

Updating the app installs the new service, but the one already running carries on until it next starts — at your next login. Until then, newer features that need it (like the Maintenance card) may say the service is "an older version". Logging out and back in sorts it.