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Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author
This skill provides guidance and best practices for configuring Node.js applications to export logs to PostHog. It emphasizes the use of the OpenTelemetry protocol (OTLP) to send structured logs, ensuring that system telemetry is centralized and actionable. The skill focuses on maintaining clean, high-signal logging by advocating for wide events over granular, repetitive log lines, and provides instructions on how to leverage PostHog's ecosystem for debugging and analysis.
What it does
- Guides the setup of OpenTelemetry log exporters for Node.js.
- Promotes structured logging patterns for better queryability.
- Provides best practices for creating wide, context-rich log events.
- Explains how to integrate logs with other PostHog features like session replay.
- Offers troubleshooting and search strategies for production logs.
- Supports AI-assisted debugging via the PostHog MCP server.
When to use it
- When you need to centralize logs from Node.js services into PostHog.
- When transitioning from verbose, low-value logs to structured, wide events.
- When you want to correlate system logs with user sessions and product analytics.
- When setting up observability for new or existing Node.js backend services.
Advantages
- Centralizes logs alongside product analytics and session replays.
- Reduces noise by encouraging high-signal, structured log events.
- Uses industry-standard OpenTelemetry protocols.
- Enables deep correlation between system behavior and user activity.
Usage examples
- “How do I configure my Node.js app to send logs to PostHog using OpenTelemetry?”
- The agent provides the necessary configuration steps for the OTLP exporter and explains how to point it to the PostHog ingest endpoint.
- “Help me refactor my repetitive logger.info calls into a single wide event.”
- The agent analyzes your current logging code and suggests a structured JSON object that captures the request context, duration, and relevant metadata in one line.
Install
Download the skill as a ZIP:
https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/posthog/logs-nodejs/downloadUnzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:
mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip logs-nodejs.zip -d .agents/skills
Documentation by PostHog
PostHog logs for Node.js
This skill helps you add PostHog log ingestion to Node.js applications.
Reference files
references/nodejs.md- Node.js logs installation - docsreferences/start-here.md- Getting started with logs - docsreferences/search.md- Search logs - docsreferences/best-practices.md- Logging best practices - docsreferences/troubleshooting.md- Logs troubleshooting - docsreferences/link-session-replay.md- Link session replay - docsreferences/debug-logs-mcp.md- Debug logs with mcp - docs
Consult the documentation for API details and framework-specific patterns.
Key principles
Environment variables: Always use environment variables for PostHog keys and OpenTelemetry endpoints. Never hardcode them.
Minimal changes: Add log export alongside existing logging. Don't replace or restructure existing logging code.
OpenTelemetry: PostHog logs use the OpenTelemetry protocol. Configure an OTLP exporter pointed at PostHog's ingest endpoint.
Structured logging: Prefer structured log formats with key-value properties over plain text messages.
Framework guidelines
No specific framework guidelines.
Files
- ATTRIBUTION.mdAdded by AutoGineer933 B
- LICENSELicence file added by AutoGineer1.0 KiB
- SKILL.md1.3 KiB
- references/best-practices.md19.6 KiB
- references/debug-logs-mcp.md2.2 KiB
- references/link-session-replay.md4.9 KiB
- references/nodejs.md3.6 KiB
- references/search.md2.5 KiB
- references/start-here.md2.4 KiB
- references/troubleshooting.md3.5 KiB
references/troubleshooting.md
Logs troubleshooting - Docs
This page covers troubleshooting for Logs. For setup, see the installation guide.
Have a question? Ask PostHog AI
Ask PostHog AI
Authentication errors
Problem: Getting 401 Unauthorized errors when sending logs.
Solutions:
Verify you're using the correct project token from Project Settings
Check the Authorization header format:
Bearer <ph_project_token>If using query parameter, verify the format:
?token=<ph_project_token>Ensure your project token hasn't been rotated or revoked
Connection issues
Problem: Cannot connect to the PostHog logs endpoint.
Solutions:
Verify the endpoint URL:
https://us.i.posthog.com/i/v1/logsCheck that your application can make outbound HTTPS requests
Ensure firewall rules allow outbound connections to PostHog
For self-hosted instances, verify the endpoint is correct for your deployment
Logs not appearing in PostHog
Problem: Logs are being sent but don't appear in the PostHog interface.
Solutions:
Verify your project token is correct and associated with the right project
Check that logs are being sent in the correct OTLP format
Ensure your project has access to the Logs feature in PostHog
Check the network tab in your browser/application to verify requests are succeeding (200 status)
Performance issues
Problem: High memory usage or slow log processing.
Solutions:
Adjust the batch size in your OpenTelemetry configuration
Use BatchLogRecordProcessor instead of SimpleLogRecordProcessor for better performance
Consider filtering logs on the client side to reduce volume
Check for network latency between your application and PostHog
Log format problems
Problem: Logs are being received but not parsed correctly.
Solutions:
Ensure you're using the standard OTLP log format
Verify log levels are set correctly (INFO, WARN, ERROR, etc.)
Check that log attributes are properly structured
Use the OpenTelemetry logging APIs instead of raw log libraries
Project token authentication issues
Problem: Confused about which key to use or how to authenticate.
Solutions:
Use your project token (the same one you use for capturing events)
Find it in Project Settings
You can authenticate in two ways:
Header:
Authorization: Bearer <ph_project_token>Query param:
?token=<ph_project_token>
Do not use your personal API key or other authentication methods
Self-hosted endpoint issues
Problem: Logs not working with self-hosted PostHog.
Solutions:
Use your self-hosted instance URL instead of
https://us.i.posthog.comVerify the logs endpoint is enabled on your self-hosted instance
Check that the endpoint path is correct:
/logsEnsure your PostHog version supports the logs feature
Still having issues?
If you're still experiencing problems:
Verify your OpenTelemetry client configuration matches the examples in the installation guide
Test with a simple log message first before sending complex logs
Check the network requests to see the actual HTTP status codes and error messages
Contact PostHog support with your specific error messages and configuration details
Community questions
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Requirements and compatibility
Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta
“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.
Security
No issues found by our static scan· No issues found
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Attribution and licence
- Created by
- PostHog
- Publisher
- PostHog (Official)
- Source
- PostHog/skills · skills/posthog/logs/skills/nodejs · commit a5d30e7
- Licence
- MIT License (redistribution allowed)
- LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
- ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
- Synced
- Also distributed in
- PostHog/skills
AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by PostHog.
Download ZIP
The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download logs-nodejs.zip