Easier access to logs at startup

Updated documentation

docs/logging.md

@@ -1,14 +1,30 @@
 # Logging
 
+## Quick Start - Follow Logs
+
+The easiest way to monitor logs is to use the `-f` flag when starting the server:
+
+```bash
+# Start server and automatically follow MCP logs
+./run-server.sh -f
+```
+
+This will start the server and immediately begin tailing the MCP server logs.
+
 ## Viewing Logs in Docker
 
 To monitor MCP server activity in real-time:
 
 ```bash
-# View all container logs
-docker-compose logs -f
+# Follow MCP server logs (recommended)
+docker exec zen-mcp-server tail -f -n 500 /tmp/mcp_server.log
+
+# Or use the -f flag when starting the server
+./run-server.sh -f
 ```
 
+**Note**: Due to MCP protocol limitations, container logs don't show tool execution details. Always use the commands above for debugging.
+
 ## Log Files
 
 Logs are stored in the container's `/tmp/` directory and rotate daily at midnight, keeping 7 days of history:

docs/testing.md

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ This project includes comprehensive test coverage through unit tests and integra
 - Python virtual environment activated: `source venv/bin/activate`
 - All dependencies installed: `pip install -r requirements.txt`
 - Docker containers running (for simulator tests): `./run-server.sh`
+  - Use `./run-server.sh -f` to automatically follow logs after starting
 
 ### Unit Tests
 
@@ -37,7 +38,10 @@ Simulator tests replicate real-world Claude CLI interactions with the MCP server
 To monitor logs during test execution:
 
 ```bash
-# Monitor main server logs (includes all tool execution details)
+# Start server and automatically follow logs
+./run-server.sh -f
+
+# Or manually monitor main server logs (includes all tool execution details)
 docker exec zen-mcp-server tail -f -n 500 /tmp/mcp_server.log
 
 # Monitor MCP activity logs (tool calls and completions)  

docs/troubleshooting.md

@@ -43,7 +43,11 @@ cat .env
 If you need to update your API keys, edit the `.env` file and then run:
 
 ```bash
+# Restart services
 ./run-server.sh
+
+# Or restart and follow logs for troubleshooting
+./run-server.sh -f
 ```
 
 This will validate your configuration and restart the services.
@@ -56,13 +60,15 @@ View the container logs for detailed error information:
 # Check if containers are running
 docker-compose ps
 
-# View all logs
-docker-compose logs -f
+# View MCP server logs (recommended - shows actual tool execution)
+docker exec zen-mcp-server tail -f -n 500 /tmp/mcp_server.log
 
-# View specific service logs
-docker-compose logs -f zen-mcp
+# Or use the -f flag when starting to automatically follow logs
+./run-server.sh -f
 ```
 
+**Note**: Due to MCP protocol limitations, `docker-compose logs` only shows startup logs, not tool execution logs. Always use the docker exec command above or the `-f` flag for debugging.
+
 See [Logging Documentation](logging.md) for more details on accessing logs.
 
 ### 5. Common Issues

run-server.sh

@@ -9,6 +9,25 @@ set -euo pipefail
 # - Initial setup of the Docker environment
 # - Restart services after changing .env configuration
 # - Rebuild and restart after code changes
+# 
+# Usage: ./run-server.sh [-f]
+# Options:
+#   -f  Follow logs after starting (tail -f the MCP server log)
+
+# Parse command line arguments
+FOLLOW_LOGS=false
+while getopts "f" opt; do
+    case $opt in
+        f)
+            FOLLOW_LOGS=true
+            ;;
+        \?)
+            echo "Invalid option: -$OPTARG" >&2
+            echo "Usage: $0 [-f]" >&2
+            exit 1
+            ;;
+    esac
+done
 
 # Spinner function for long-running operations
 show_spinner() {
@@ -386,9 +405,20 @@ fi
 echo "🔧 Useful commands:"
 echo "  Start services:    $COMPOSE_CMD up -d"
 echo "  Stop services:     $COMPOSE_CMD down"
-echo "  View logs:         $COMPOSE_CMD logs -f"
+echo "  View MCP logs:     docker exec zen-mcp-server tail -f -n 500 /tmp/mcp_server.log"
 echo "  Restart services:  $COMPOSE_CMD restart"
 echo "  Service status:    $COMPOSE_CMD ps"
 echo ""
 
-echo "Happy Clauding!"
+# Follow logs if -f flag was specified
+if [ "$FOLLOW_LOGS" = true ]; then
+    echo "📜 Following MCP server logs (press Ctrl+C to stop)..."
+    echo ""
+    # Give the container a moment to fully start
+    sleep 2
+    docker exec zen-mcp-server tail -f -n 500 /tmp/mcp_server.log
+else
+    echo "💡 Tip: Use './run-server.sh -f' next time to automatically follow logs after startup"
+    echo ""
+    echo "Happy Clauding!"
+fi