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Uninstalling the Agent

This guide covers fully removing the PatchCTL agent from a Linux server.

What Uninstall Does​

  • Stops and disables the patchctl systemd service
  • Removes agent binaries and runtime files
  • Removes PatchCTL config by default (/etc/patchctl/config.json)
  • Optionally keeps config or logs when needed
  • Attempts a best-effort API decommission call before local cleanup

Use the local lifecycle script that install puts on each node:

From repository checkout
sudo /opt/patchctl/install.sh --uninstall --yes

Useful Flags​

  • Keep config: 
    sudo /opt/patchctl/install.sh --uninstall --yes --keep-config
  • Keep logs: 
    sudo /opt/patchctl/install.sh --uninstall --yes --keep-logs
  • Preview actions only: 
    sudo /opt/patchctl/install.sh --uninstall --dry-run
  • Skip API decommission call: 
    sudo /opt/patchctl/install.sh --uninstall --yes --skip-api

Manual Removal (Fallback)​

If you cannot use the uninstall script:

Manual fallback commands
sudo systemctl stop patchctl.service || true
sudo systemctl disable patchctl.service || true
sudo rm -f /etc/systemd/system/patchctl.service
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo rm -f /opt/patchctl/bin/patchctl-agent
sudo rm -rf /opt/patchctl
sudo rm -f /usr/local/bin/patchctl-agent
sudo rm -rf /usr/local/lib/patchctl
sudo rm -f /etc/patchctl/config.json /etc/patchctl/config.json.bak
sudo rmdir /etc/patchctl 2>/dev/null || true

Remove the Server from Dashboard​

Uninstalling from the host and removing from dashboard are separate actions.

After uninstalling locally, remove the server in the dashboard:

  1. Go to Servers
  2. Select the server
  3. Choose Remove Server

Notes​

  • Removing a server in dashboard does not uninstall software from the host.
  • Node quota release policy:
    • If a server is removed within the provisional window (first 24 hours) and never ran patch actions, the slot releases immediately.
    • Otherwise, a temporary quota hold can apply: until billing-period end for paid plans, or 30 days for free plan.
  • Historical records may still exist based on retention policy.

Reinstall Later​

If needed, reinstall using the installation guide.