Logs
Command history and log management - Review, re-execute, and analyze DFX Dashboard command history with advanced filtering and search capabilities
The Logs page provides comprehensive logging capabilities for your DFX Dashboard activities, featuring both command history tracking and canister log viewing. This powerful tool enables efficient debugging, workflow optimization, and development process documentation.
Overview
The Logs page is organized into two main tabs designed for comprehensive log management:
Command History
Complete history of dfx commands executed through the dashboard
Canister Logs
Real-time canister logs with filtering and search capabilities
The Logs page tracks commands executed through the DFX Dashboard and provides access to canister logs across all your projects for comprehensive debugging and monitoring.
Log Management Features
Command History Tab
The Command History tab provides a comprehensive view of all dfx commands executed through the DFX Dashboard, allowing you to review, analyze, and re-execute past commands.
Table Structure
The command history table includes the following columns:
Command Filtering
Subcommand Filter
Filter commands by type (All, Canister, etc.)
Date Sorting
Commands automatically sorted by execution time
Command Actions
View Output
Click the Info button to see detailed command output in a modal
Copy Command
Click the Copy button to copy the command text to clipboard
Re-execute
Click the Play button to run the command again (when available)
Command Output Modal
The command output modal provides:
Command Details
- Full command text with parameters
- Execution path context
- Command type classification
Execution Results
- Complete command output with syntax highlighting
- Error messages and warnings
- Scrollable output area for long results
Use the command history to track your development workflow and quickly re-execute successful commands. The output modal helps with debugging by showing complete command results.
Command History Tab
The Command History tab provides a comprehensive view of all dfx commands executed through the DFX Dashboard, allowing you to review, analyze, and re-execute past commands.
Table Structure
The command history table includes the following columns:
Command Filtering
Subcommand Filter
Filter commands by type (All, Canister, etc.)
Date Sorting
Commands automatically sorted by execution time
Command Actions
View Output
Click the Info button to see detailed command output in a modal
Copy Command
Click the Copy button to copy the command text to clipboard
Re-execute
Click the Play button to run the command again (when available)
Command Output Modal
The command output modal provides:
Command Details
- Full command text with parameters
- Execution path context
- Command type classification
Execution Results
- Complete command output with syntax highlighting
- Error messages and warnings
- Scrollable output area for long results
Use the command history to track your development workflow and quickly re-execute successful commands. The output modal helps with debugging by showing complete command results.
Canister Logs Tab
The Canister Logs tab provides real-time access to canister logs across all your projects, with powerful search and filtering capabilities.
Canister Selection
Project Integration
Automatically discovers canisters from all loaded projects
Canister Dropdown
Select any canister from any project to view its logs
Log Features
Canister Discovery
The system automatically:
Project Scanning
Scans all loaded projects for available canisters
Canister Detection
Identifies deployed canisters across different networks
Dropdown Population
Populates the canister selection dropdown with project context
Log Fetching
Retrieves logs using dfx canister logs command
Error Handling
Connection Issues
Graceful handling of network connectivity problems
Canister Errors
Clear error messages for canister-specific issues
Empty Logs
Appropriate messaging when no logs are available
Retry Mechanism
Easy retry options for failed log fetches
Canister logs are fetched in real-time from the network. Ensure your canisters are running and accessible on the selected network for successful log retrieval.
Log Data Structure
Understanding the log data structure helps with effective debugging and analysis:
Command History Format
Canister Log Format
Best Practices
Troubleshooting
Performance Considerations
Log Volume Management
Large log volumes may impact performance - consider regular cleanup
Network Efficiency
Canister logs are fetched over network - monitor for connectivity issues
Search Optimization
Use specific search terms for faster results in large log sets
Memory Usage
Large command histories may use significant memory - restart if needed
Additional Resources
DFX Logging Documentation
Official documentation for dfx canister logs command
Canister Development Guide
Guide to canister development and logging best practices
Debugging Techniques
Comprehensive debugging techniques for IC development
DFX Command Reference
Complete reference for all dfx commands
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