Enhance Docker Logs: Add Pause/Resume Feature

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Enhance Docker Logs: Add Pause/Resume Feature

Hey guys! Ever found yourself staring at a Docker log viewer, trying to pinpoint an issue, but the constant stream of new entries keeps jerking your view back to the bottom? It's like trying to read a book while someone's constantly flipping the pages! This feature request is all about solving that exact pain point. We're talking about a pause/resume functionality for Docker log streaming, and trust me, it's a game-changer for anyone working with high-traffic applications. Let's dive into why this is needed, how it'll work, and how you can test it out.

The Problem: Uncontrollable Log Streams

So, what's the deal, and why does this matter? Currently, the Docker log viewer is a relentless stream of data. As logs from your containers pour in, the viewer updates in real-time, automatically scrolling to the latest entries. This is usually fine, but when you're trying to investigate a specific issue or analyze patterns, it's a nightmare. Imagine you see an error a few minutes back, scroll up to examine it, and BAM! The view jumps back down as new logs arrive. You lose your place, and the hunt for the error starts all over again. In busy production environments, where logs are flying in constantly, this becomes nearly impossible. You end up missing crucial data or, even worse, spending way too much time sifting through logs. This makes it super hard to identify and troubleshoot issues effectively. This feature aims to provide a solution.

Current Behavior Frustrations

The current behavior is a constant, unavoidable stream. The WebSocket connection keeps the logs flowing, and the view follows suit, making it a constant battle to stay focused. You can't pause the stream to examine older entries without losing your position. This setup is far from ideal when you're trying to perform any serious log analysis.

Reproduction is straightforward:

  1. Open the Log Viewer: Head to any container's log viewer (we'll set up a test app later). This is the starting point.
  2. Wait for the Stream: Let the logs flow – watch the terminal fill up with data.
  3. Scroll Up: Attempt to examine a specific log entry from a while ago. Try to scroll up, and...
  4. Observe the Scroll: See the view automatically jump back down, making it impossible to stay focused on the entry you wanted to examine.

This current behavior is the root of the problem.

The Solution: Pause and Resume

What we need is a way to freeze the log display while continuing to capture those precious logs in the background. The pause/resume feature will solve this. When paused, you can scroll, search, and analyze logs at your own pace. When you're ready, hit resume, and all the buffered logs will be displayed in the correct order, ensuring you don't miss a thing.

Expected Improvements with Pause/Resume

This feature provides users with control over log viewing: you can freeze the display whenever needed and continue capturing incoming logs. This ensures you can take your time to analyze entries. When you're ready, resume, and all the buffered logs are displayed in the correct order. No data lost, just a better user experience.

Here's what the Acceptance Criteria look like:

  • A pause/play button is prominently displayed in the log viewer.
  • When paused, the log display stops updating, even when new logs arrive.
  • Incoming logs during the pause period are buffered in memory without being displayed.
  • Upon resuming, all buffered logs are displayed in the correct order.
  • The pause state resets when switching between containers or changing log filters. This provides a clean slate.
  • Users can scroll freely through logs while paused without the view jumping.

This set of criteria ensures the functionality does exactly what it's supposed to: give you control over your logs, making troubleshooting way easier.

Setting Up a Test Application (Optional)

Want to see this in action? Here's how to set up a quick test application that generates logs. This is super useful for testing the pause/resume functionality.

  1. Navigate to the Dashboard: Go to Dashboard -> Docker -> Containers.
  2. Create a Container: Click "Create Container".
  3. Fill in the Details:
    • Container Name: log-generator (or whatever you like).
    • Image: busybox. This is a small, lightweight Linux distribution.
    • Command: Use this command to generate logs: sh -c "while true; do echo \"[$(date)] Log entry #$RANDOM - Processing request...\"; sleep 1; done". This command creates a loop that outputs a log entry every second.
  4. Deploy the Container: Click "Deploy".

Now, your container will generate logs every second, perfect for testing the pause/resume feature.

Viewing the Logs

  1. Select the Container: Click on your log-generator container.
  2. Go to the Logs Tab: Navigate to the "Logs" tab.
  3. See the Logs: You should see logs appearing every second.

Steps to Test the Feature

Here's how to test the pause/resume functionality once it's implemented.

  1. Open the Docker log viewer: Select any container that generates logs. This can be your new test container or an existing one.
  2. Check for the button: Make sure the pause/play button is visible in the log controls.
  3. Pause the logs: Click the pause button while logs are streaming.
  4. Confirm the pause: Ensure the log display stops updating (the scroll position should remain stable).
  5. Scroll through the logs: Scroll up and down through the paused logs to confirm you can view them without the view jumping.
  6. Resume the logs: Click the play/resume button.
  7. Verify the stream: Confirm logs continue streaming normally after you resume. Try changing the container or modifying log filters (e.g., lines, since) to make sure everything works consistently.
  8. Check the reset: Ensure the pause state resets and logs stream normally for the new selection.

How to Submit Feedback

If you want to contribute, a quick screen recording is super helpful for this feature request. Here's how to do it.

Submission Instructions

  1. Record your screen: Use a tool like cap.so in Studio mode to record your screen and demonstrate the feature.
  2. Export the video: Export the recording as an MP4.
  3. Upload the video: Drag and drop the MP4 file into an issue comment.
  4. Provide context: Clearly describe what you are demonstrating in the comment.

This simple process will provide valuable context and help illustrate any issues or provide valuable feedback, making it easier for the team to address the feature request and ensure it meets your needs.

This feature will significantly improve the usability of the Docker log viewer, especially in busy environments. By providing pause and resume controls, users will be able to analyze logs without the frustration of the constantly scrolling display. So, let's get this implemented and make log analysis a breeze!