@BarveyHirdman said:

You could also install forever

npm install -g forever

cd /path/to/nodebb
NODE_ENV=development forever start app.js

(Replace NODE_ENV=development with NODE_ENV=production if you want to deploy it to production environment)

Thanks, I am running forever now. Seems to work.

I installed it and it's crashing my server every 2-3 minutes

Here's the error

/root/mynodebb/node_modules/nodebb-plugin-cash/library.js:71
global.io.sockets.in('uid_' + uid).emit('event:alert', {
^
TypeError: Cannot read property 'sockets' of undefined
at null._onTimeout (/root/mynodebb/node_modules/nodebb-plugin-cash/library.js:71:13)
at Timer.listOnTimeout [as ontimeout] (timers.js:110:15)

dumb it down a little for me...

so basically when I type "$ node app" the system runs the app and its 'stuck' because the app is perpetually running.

When do I need to modify the command to? Is it "$ node app start &"

As a newbie with zero development access, I followed the dummies guide below

Setting up a NodeBB Forum “for Dummies” | Burn after compiling

(burnaftercompiling.com)

It was a miracle but I got the nodebb up and running successfully (I am good at following instructions).

Here are some issues I am facing. Hope somebody can help.

When I close my putty window, the server stops running and the forum is no longer accessible.

How do I start the server and exit the terminal window?

I know this sounds like a dumb questions but please bear with me.