> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sealights.io/knowledgebase/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sealights.io/knowledgebase/setup-and-configuration/sealights-agents-and-plugins/abap-agent-2.0/command-line-interface/start-the-agent-server.md).

# Start the ABAP Agent Server

The ABAP Agent server (`SLABAPServer.exe`) is a .NET localhost HTTP process that the ABAP Agent CLI and watcher use for server-backed work such as test repository operations, build map stages, refresh links, and FLPCA import.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Start the server after Connect to SeaLights.** Complete installation (`setup install`) and the combined **Connect to SeaLights** step — both `sealights set` and `sealights test` — before you start `SLABAPServer.exe`. Do **not** start the server between those two SeaLights commands.
{% endhint %}

## Start the server

Run `SLABAPServer.exe` from the ABAP Agent `bin` folder. The server runs in the foreground as a console process and prints log output to the terminal. Stop it with **Ctrl+C**.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Command Prompt" %}
{% code title="Command" overflow="wrap" %}

```batch
SLABAPServer.exe
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="PowerShell" %}
{% code title="Command" overflow="wrap" %}

```powershell
.\SLABAPServer.exe
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

The server binds to `http://127.0.0.1:17500` by default. To change the port, set `[server].port` in `config.toml` and restart the server. See [Configuration settings](/knowledgebase/setup-and-configuration/sealights-agents-and-plugins/abap-agent-2.0/configuration-settings.md).

{% code title="Example startup output (abbreviated)" overflow="wrap" lineNumbers="true" %}

```log
[2026-03-08 10:55:00.000 +02:00] [INF] ========== SL.ABAP.SERVER STARTUP INITIATED ==========
[2026-03-08 10:55:00.123 +02:00] [INF] Config: C:\ProgramData\Tricentis\SeaLights\ABAP Agent\config\config.toml (from ProgramData)
[2026-03-08 10:55:00.456 +02:00] [INF] Userdata: C:\ProgramData\Tricentis\SeaLights\ABAP Agent (from settings:userdata)
[2026-03-08 10:55:01.234 +02:00] [INF] SeaLights connectivity validated successfully.
[2026-03-08 10:55:01.567 +02:00] [INF] Readiness / Reason: True / ready
[2026-03-08 10:55:01.890 +02:00] [INF] ========== APPLICATION STARTED — http://127.0.0.1:17500 ==========
```

{% endcode %}

## Check server readiness

The server exposes a readiness probe at `GET http://127.0.0.1:17500/ready`. Use this to confirm the server is ready to accept work before running CLI commands or scheduled tasks.

| HTTP status               | Response body                                                         | Meaning                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| ------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `200 OK`                  | `{"status":"ready"}`                                                  | Config valid, SeaLights token validated, process database ready.                                                                                                                                     |
| `503 Service Unavailable` | `{"status":"not_ready", "reasonCode":"CONFIG_RESTART_REQUIRED", ...}` | See [Live reload and restart-required fields](/knowledgebase/setup-and-configuration/sealights-agents-and-plugins/abap-agent-2.0/configuration-settings.md#live-reload-and-restart-required-fields). |
| `503 Service Unavailable` | `{"status":"not_ready", ...}` (other reasons)                         | Config invalid, token missing or validation failed, or process database unavailable.                                                                                                                 |

{% hint style="info" %}
You can check readiness from the command line:

```batch
curl http://127.0.0.1:17500/ready
```

{% endhint %}

If the server returns `not_ready`:

* For `CONFIG_RESTART_REQUIRED`, see [Live reload and restart-required fields](/knowledgebase/setup-and-configuration/sealights-agents-and-plugins/abap-agent-2.0/configuration-settings.md#live-reload-and-restart-required-fields).
* Verify that `sealights set` has been run and the token is valid (`slabapcli sealights test`).
* Verify `config.toml` has no syntax errors (`slabapcli setup status`).
* Check the server log in `%ProgramData%\Tricentis\SeaLights\ABAP Agent\public\Logs\` for details.


---

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