What is a process manager such as PM2 used for?
PICTURE THIS: STACK VS QUEUE
Simple meaning
PM2 keeps a Node process running, restarts it on crash, and can run multiple instances.
WHY — Deployment instead of guessing?
Why interviewers care about Deployment:
who only read docs from people who shipped.
and tied to Full Stack work.
Name the idea, why it exists, then one short example.
End with when you use it and one common pitfall.
STEPS — What happens step by step?
Before you speak the answer, walk the interviewer through these steps:
- 1PM2 keeps a Node
process running, restarts it on crash, and can run multiple instances.
- 2It also helps with
logs and reloads.
- 3On a VM, PM2
or systemd is how an Express API stays up after you close SSH.
- 4Give an example
One tiny concrete case you can say aloud.
- 5Common mistake
What juniors usually get wrong.
- 6Close
When you pick this over the alternative.
EXAMPLE — See it in action
Here's a short line you can speak, broken into clear beats:
Note: Adapt this scaffold to your own project — keep it under 60–90 seconds.
Key takeaway
PM2 keeps a Node process running, restarts it on crash, and can run multiple instances. It also helps with logs and reloads.