linuxEASYLINUX
Warm up with journal failure triage diagnostic drill
Easy Linux arena: journalctl filtering, time windows, units, and severity levels
XP reward
150
Coins
13
Target time
48m
A learner is about to attempt the full journal failure triage arena. Build a smaller but realistic diagnostic that exposes whether they understand journalctl filtering, time windows, units, and severity levels. You are working inside a Linux production host, and the arena only clears when the result is safe, deterministic, and explainable.
Learning objective
Learn to apply journalctl filtering, time windows, units, and severity levels in a Linux production host while explaining the invariant, safety constraints, and hidden edge cases.
Mission order
journald entries include multiple units, boot IDs, priorities, and repeated stack traces. Include one normal case, one malformed case, and one ordering or safety edge case. Implement the direct solution first, then document the one edge case that can break it. Submit the solution plus enough reasoning to pass hidden edge cases.Visible checks
uses safe command composition
Expected: deterministic command sequence
handles ordinary filenames
Expected: stable output
Clear requirements
- Demonstrates journalctl filtering, time windows, units, and severity levels
- Handles the visible sample and hidden edge cases
- Keeps output deterministic and explainable
- Avoids destructive host commands
Secure validation contract
Judge type
LINUX
Complexity target
Linear scan over simulated files/log rows with deterministic output
Simulated lab
3 files/directories, allowed commands: awk, cat, cut, du, df, find, grep, head
Workspace
Terminal lab
Simulated secure terminalhost isolated
Test Results
Run the visible checks when your first pass is ready.
Clear Protocol
1Read the scenario and restate the expected output shape.
2Run visible checks before chasing hidden edge cases.
3Use Genie for one nudge if stuck, then explain the invariant.
4Submit only when the result is deterministic and safe.
Rewards
XP
150
Coins
13
Mission Route
Hints
Hints are metered and logged for No Hint Hero runs.
Genie Mentor Core
Hint protocol / contextual guardrails active
Progressive hints
Failed-test aware
Solution guarded
Mission: linux-easy-journal-triage-diagnostic0 attempts0 failed tests0 hints used
Progressive hint depth
Genie: Genie online. I use your mission, attempts, failed tests, hints, and path context to coach the next rep without dumping answers first.