Linux Config Troubleshooting

Overview

Systematic methodology for tracking down automatic configuration file overwrites. When your .env, config files, or development tool settings keep getting reverted or modified without explanation, use this guide to identify the root cause.

When to Use

• A config file (.env, config.yaml, .bashrc, etc.) keeps getting modified after you edit it
• You need to find out which process is modifying a specific file
• Auto-config tools, system services, or cron jobs may be interfering

Investigation Workflow

Phase 0: Environmental Blinders — Proxy Confusion

Before anything else, check if proxy environment variables are set. They can silently redirect all outbound traffic, causing curl ip-api.com to show the proxy's IP instead of the local machine's — leading to false conclusions about where your agent/server actually lives.