Abstrax

Abstrax is a command line tool for managing common Linux server tasks. It wraps the everyday administration commands for users, packages, services, web projects, databases, firewalls, and more behind a single, consistent interface.

The aim is simple: you should not need to remember the exact syntax of useradd, ufw, supervisorctl, certbot, or nginx configuration files to get routine server work done.

What Abstrax is

Abstrax is a single Go binary that runs directly on the server you want to manage. Every command follows the same pattern:

abstrax <group> <action> [arguments] [flags]

For example:

abstrax user add deploy --grant-sudo
abstrax package install nginx
abstrax firewall allow 443 --protocol=tcp

Each command validates its input, performs the requested change, and prints a clear result. Add --json to any command to get machine-readable output for scripts and automation.

Who it is for

• People who manage one or more Linux servers and want a consistent set of commands.
• Developers deploying web applications who need to set up users, projects, databases, and certificates.
• Teams who want predictable, scriptable server operations with structured output.

You do not need to be a Linux expert to use Abstrax, but you should understand that the commands change real system state.

What problems it solves

• Inconsistent syntax. Different tools (useradd, ufw, certbot, supervisorctl) each have their own flags and conventions. Abstrax gives them a single, predictable style.
• Repetitive setup. Creating a web project usually means making a directory, setting ownership, writing an nginx virtual host, and reloading the web server. Abstrax does these steps together.
• Scripting. The --json flag produces stable, structured output that is easier to parse than the text output of individual system tools.
• Safety. Destructive commands ask for confirmation, SSH configuration is validated before it is applied, and many commands support --dry-run so you can preview changes.

What it can help with

Area	Examples
Users	Create and remove users, manage groups, grant or revoke sudo, lock accounts
SSH	Add authorised keys, change the SSH port, disable root login or password auth
Packages	Install, remove, update, and upgrade apt packages
Services	Start, stop, restart, enable, and check systemd services
Cron	Add, modify, list, enable, and disable scheduled jobs
Daemons	Run long-lived processes under Supervisor
Projects	Create nginx-backed web projects for static, PHP, Node.js, or Ruby apps
Certificates	Obtain and renew Let's Encrypt certificates with Certbot
Databases	Manage MySQL/MariaDB databases, users, and grants
Cache	Install and manage Redis or Memcached
Firewall	Enable UFW and manage allow/deny rules
Server status	View CPU, memory, disk, load, and running services

What it does not try to be

• It is not a configuration management system like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef. It does not enforce a desired state over time.
• It is not a replacement for the underlying tools. It calls apt, systemctl, ufw, certbot, supervisorctl, and mysql on your behalf.
• It does not currently provide a hosted control plane or remote agent. A future agent is described in the code and README, but it is not implemented yet. See Supported platforms for current scope.

A short example

# Inspect the system first – this command does not require root
abstrax doctor

# Create a deploy user with sudo
sudo abstrax user add deploy --grant-sudo --create-home

# Preview a firewall change without applying it
sudo abstrax firewall enable --allow-ssh --dry-run

# Get JSON output for a script
abstrax server status --json

Where to go next

• Installation – install Abstrax on your server.
• Quick start – your first commands.
• Commands – detailed documentation for every command group.
• Command reference – every command and flag in one place.
• Configuration – config files, environment, and permissions.
• Permissions and security – what Abstrax needs and why.
• Troubleshooting – common problems and fixes.
• Contributing – build, test, and develop Abstrax.