# Caddy / Tailscale Port 443 Conflict

## Symptom

`systemctl status caddy` shows:
```
listen tcp :443: bind: address already in use
```

## Root Cause

`tailscaled` (the Tailscale daemon) binds port 443 on **its Tailnet IP** (e.g. `100.71.155.7:443`). When Caddy tries to bind `:443` (all interfaces — `0.0.0.0:443`), the kernel blocks it because `100.71.155.7:443` is already taken. The public IP (`152.53.192.33:443`) is completely free — Caddy just can't reach it via the blanket `:443` bind.

## Diagnosis

```bash
# Check what's on port 443
ss -tlnp | grep 443
# → tailscaled  PID 897  bound to 100.71.155.7:443 (NOT 0.0.0.0:443)

# Confirm Caddy config is trying to use all-interfaces :443
grep ':443' /etc/caddy/Caddyfile

# Confirm Tailscale serve is active
tailscale serve status
```

## Resolution — Use `default_bind` in Caddyfile

Tailscale binds to its specific Tailnet interface IP. Caddy can bind to the **public IP** instead, and both coexist:

Add a global options block at the **top** of `/etc/caddy/Caddyfile`:

```caddy
{
    default_bind 152.53.192.33
}
```

This tells Caddy to bind ALL site blocks to the public IP only, avoiding the Tailscale interface entirely. Leases port 443 for public HTTPS without fighting Tailscale.

**Verify Caddy parses the config before restarting:**

```bash
caddy validate --config /etc/caddy/Caddyfile
# → "Valid configuration"

# Format it
caddy fmt --overwrite /etc/caddy/Caddyfile

# Start it
systemctl start caddy

# Confirm it's listening
systemctl is-active caddy
# → active

# Test a site
curl -sS -o /dev/null -w 'HTTP %{http_code}' https://sign.itpropartner.com/
# → HTTP 200
```

**After the fix, verify the health check passes:**
```bash
bash /root/.hermes/scripts/service-health-check.sh
echo "Exit code: $?"  # Should be 0 (silent = all healthy)
```

## How It Works

- Tailscale binds `100.71.155.7:443` (its Tailnet IP, interface `tailscale0`)
- Caddy with `default_bind 152.53.192.33` binds `152.53.192.33:443` (the public IP, interface `eth0`)
- No overlap. Both serve HTTPS on port 443 to their respective audiences.

Without `default_bind`, Caddy tries `0.0.0.0:443` (all interfaces), which includes the Tailscale IP → conflict.

## Resolution Options (ranked)

| Option | Effort | Effect |
|--------|--------|--------|
| **`default_bind <public-ip>`** (recommended) | Add 3 lines to Caddyfile | Full Caddy + Tailscale coexistence on :443 |
| **iptables redirect** from Tailscale IP | Moderate | Works if Tailscale isn't actively serving |
| **Disable Tailscale :443** | `tailscale serve --https=443 off` | Loses Tailscale Serve HTTPS on that box |
| **Run Caddy on alt port** (e.g., 8443) | Update Caddy config + DNS | `sign.itpropartner.com` needs custom port |
| **Let Caddy fail** | Update health check to skip Caddy | Acceptable if services reachable another way |

## Current State (Jul 11, 2026)

On **Core** (netcup, 152.53.192.33): **Fixed — Caddy running with `default_bind 152.53.192.33`.** Both Caddy (public HTTPS) and Tailscale (tailnet HTTPS) coexist cleanly.
