Add prefix/suffix support, short ID fallback, unit docs

- config: add Prefix/Suffix fields to Config struct
- systemd: ServiceName/Generate/UnitPath/Install/Uninstall/Enable/Disable/Status all accept prefix+suffix
- runtime: fall back to short container ID (12 chars) when container has no name
- cmd: active, status, install all thread prefix/suffix from config
- systemd/generator_test.go: updated all calls + added TestGenerate_WithPrefixSuffix
- docs/generated-units.md: full examples of every unit type + ordering + naming
- README: updated config docs, prefix/suffix section, link to docs/

README.md

@@ -76,6 +76,9 @@ oldthing   podman    hein    no        no          —                 container
 **Location:** `/etc/unitdore/units.yaml`
 
 ```yaml
+prefix: ""                   # optional: prepended to all service names, e.g. "prod-"
+suffix: ""                   # optional: appended to all service names, e.g. "-svc"
+
 units:
   - name: nginx
     runtime: podman          # podman | docker
@@ -94,7 +97,35 @@ units:
     enabled: true
 ```
 
-## Generated unit file (example)
+### Prefix and suffix
+
+Set `prefix` and/or `suffix` to namespace your service files:
+
+```yaml
+prefix: prod-
+suffix: ""
+```
+
+Generates: `unitdore-prod-nginx.service`, `unitdore-prod-myapp.service`, etc.
+Prefix/suffix apply to the **service file name only** — container names are unchanged.
+
+### Unnamed containers
+
+If a container has no name, `syncup` uses its short container ID (first 12 chars) as the unit name.
+You can rename it later with `unitdore edit`.
+
+## Generated unit files
+
+See **[docs/generated-units.md](docs/generated-units.md)** for full examples covering:
+- System units (root)
+- User units (rootless)
+- Docker vs Podman
+- Custom commands
+- Prefix/suffix naming
+- Startup ordering
+- Unnamed containers (short ID fallback)
+
+Quick example:
 
 ```ini
 # /etc/systemd/system/unitdore-nginx.service
@@ -115,8 +146,6 @@ RestartSec=5
 WantedBy=multi-user.target
 ```
 
-For user units (rootless containers), files go to `~/.config/systemd/user/` and target `default.target`.
-
 ## Flags
 
 ```

cmd/active.go

@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ func runActive(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	prefix, suffix := cfg.Prefix, cfg.Suffix
+
 	// Sort by order then name for deterministic startup sequence
 	units := make([]config.Unit, len(cfg.Units))
 	copy(units, cfg.Units)
@@ -44,12 +46,12 @@ func runActive(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		if !u.Enabled {
 			continue
 		}
-		if !systemd.IsInstalled(u) {
+		if !systemd.IsInstalled(u, prefix, suffix) {
 			fmt.Printf("  ! %s: not installed — run 'unitdore install' first\n", u.Name)
 			continue
 		}
-		fmt.Printf("  ▶ enabling: %s...\n", systemd.ServiceName(u))
+		fmt.Printf("  ▶ enabling: %s...\n", systemd.ServiceName(u, prefix, suffix))
-		if err := systemd.Enable(u); err != nil {
+		if err := systemd.Enable(u, prefix, suffix); err != nil {
 			fmt.Printf("  ✗ failed: %s: %v\n", u.Name, err)
 			failed++
 		} else {

cmd/install.go

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ func runInstall(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	prefix, suffix := cfg.Prefix, cfg.Suffix
 	installed := 0
 	skipped := 0
 	removed := 0
@@ -38,14 +39,14 @@ func runInstall(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	for _, u := range cfg.Units {
 		if !u.Enabled {
 			// Remove unit file if it exists for disabled units
-			if systemd.IsInstalled(u) {
+			if systemd.IsInstalled(u, prefix, suffix) {
 				if dryRun {
-					fmt.Printf("  ~ would remove: %s\n", systemd.ServiceName(u))
+					fmt.Printf("  ~ would remove: %s\n", systemd.ServiceName(u, prefix, suffix))
 				} else {
-					if err := systemd.Uninstall(u); err != nil {
+					if err := systemd.Uninstall(u, prefix, suffix); err != nil {
 						fmt.Printf("  ✗ failed to remove %s: %v\n", u.Name, err)
 					} else {
-						fmt.Printf("  - removed: %s (disabled)\n", systemd.ServiceName(u))
+						fmt.Printf("  - removed: %s (disabled)\n", systemd.ServiceName(u, prefix, suffix))
 						removed++
 					}
 				}
@@ -56,21 +57,21 @@ func runInstall(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		}
 
 		if dryRun {
-			content, err := systemd.Generate(u)
+			content, err := systemd.Generate(u, prefix, suffix)
 			if err != nil {
 				fmt.Printf("  ✗ %s: %v\n", u.Name, err)
 				continue
 			}
-			path, _ := systemd.UnitPath(u)
+			path, _ := systemd.UnitPath(u, prefix, suffix)
 			fmt.Printf("\n--- %s ---\n%s\n", path, content)
 			installed++
 			continue
 		}
 
-		if err := systemd.Install(u); err != nil {
+		if err := systemd.Install(u, prefix, suffix); err != nil {
 			fmt.Printf("  ✗ failed: %s: %v\n", u.Name, err)
 		} else {
-			path, _ := systemd.UnitPath(u)
+			path, _ := systemd.UnitPath(u, prefix, suffix)
 			fmt.Printf("  ✓ installed: %s\n", path)
 			installed++
 		}

cmd/status.go

@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ func runStatus(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	prefix, suffix := cfg.Prefix, cfg.Suffix
+
 	if len(cfg.Units) == 0 {
 		fmt.Println("No units configured. Run 'unitdore syncup' to discover containers.")
 		return nil
@@ -63,13 +65,13 @@ func runStatus(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		}
 
 		installed := "yes"
-		if !systemd.IsInstalled(u) {
+		if !systemd.IsInstalled(u, prefix, suffix) {
 			installed = "no"
 		}
 
 		state := "—"
-		if systemd.IsInstalled(u) {
+		if systemd.IsInstalled(u, prefix, suffix) {
-			state = systemd.Status(u)
+			state = systemd.Status(u, prefix, suffix)
 		}
 
 		rows = append(rows, statusRow{

config/config.go

@@ -24,7 +24,9 @@ type Unit struct {
 
 // Config is the root config structure.
 type Config struct {
-	Units []Unit `yaml:"units"`
+	Units  []Unit `yaml:"units"`
+	Prefix string `yaml:"prefix,omitempty"` // prepended to generated service name, e.g. "prod-"
+	Suffix string `yaml:"suffix,omitempty"` // appended to generated service name, e.g. "-svc"
 }
 
 // Load reads and parses the config file at path.

docs/generated-units.md

@@ -0,0 +1,288 @@
+# Generated Systemd Unit Files
+
+Unitdore generates `.service` files from your `units.yaml` config.
+This document shows every combination with annotated examples.
+
+---
+
+## System Unit (root, no user)
+
+**Config:**
+```yaml
+units:
+  - name: nginx
+    runtime: podman
+    order: 1
+    enabled: true
+```
+
+**Written to:** `/etc/systemd/system/unitdore-nginx.service`
+
+```ini
+# /etc/systemd/system/unitdore-nginx.service
+# Generated by unitdore — do not edit manually
+
+[Unit]
+Description=Unitdore: nginx (podman)
+After=network.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/podman start -a nginx
+ExecStop=/usr/bin/podman stop nginx
+Restart=on-failure
+RestartSec=5
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
+```
+
+**Notes:**
+- `After=network.target` ensures the network is up before starting
+- `WantedBy=multi-user.target` means it starts in normal boot runlevel
+- `Restart=on-failure` restarts the container if it exits unexpectedly
+
+---
+
+## System Unit (Docker)
+
+**Config:**
+```yaml
+units:
+  - name: redis
+    runtime: docker
+    order: 1
+    enabled: true
+```
+
+**Written to:** `/etc/systemd/system/unitdore-redis.service`
+
+```ini
+# /etc/systemd/system/unitdore-redis.service
+# Generated by unitdore — do not edit manually
+
+[Unit]
+Description=Unitdore: redis (docker)
+After=network.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/docker start redis
+ExecStop=/usr/bin/docker stop redis
+Restart=on-failure
+RestartSec=5
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
+```
+
+**Notes:**
+- Docker uses `docker start <name>` (no `-a` flag needed)
+
+---
+
+## User Unit (rootless container)
+
+**Config:**
+```yaml
+units:
+  - name: myapp
+    runtime: podman
+    user: hein
+    order: 2
+    enabled: true
+```
+
+**Written to:** `/home/hein/.config/systemd/user/unitdore-myapp.service`
+
+```ini
+# ~/.config/systemd/user/unitdore-myapp.service
+# Generated by unitdore — do not edit manually
+
+[Unit]
+Description=Unitdore: myapp (podman)
+After=default.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/podman start -a myapp
+ExecStop=/usr/bin/podman stop myapp
+Restart=on-failure
+RestartSec=5
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=default.target
+```
+
+**Notes:**
+- User units use `After=default.target` and `WantedBy=default.target`
+- The file is written to the user's own systemd directory
+- Unitdore calls `runuser -u hein -- systemctl --user` for enable/start/status
+
+---
+
+## Custom Command
+
+**Config:**
+```yaml
+units:
+  - name: myscript
+    runtime: podman
+    command: /opt/myapp/start.sh
+    order: 3
+    enabled: true
+```
+
+**Written to:** `/etc/systemd/system/unitdore-myscript.service`
+
+```ini
+# /etc/systemd/system/unitdore-myscript.service
+# Generated by unitdore — do not edit manually
+
+[Unit]
+Description=Unitdore: myscript (podman)
+After=network.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+ExecStart=/opt/myapp/start.sh
+ExecStop=
+Restart=on-failure
+RestartSec=5
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
+```
+
+**Notes:**
+- When `command` is set, it is used verbatim as `ExecStart`
+- `ExecStop` is left empty — systemd will send SIGTERM to the process group
+
+---
+
+## With Prefix and Suffix
+
+**Config:**
+```yaml
+prefix: prod-
+suffix: -svc
+
+units:
+  - name: nginx
+    runtime: podman
+    order: 1
+    enabled: true
+  - name: api
+    runtime: docker
+    order: 2
+    enabled: true
+```
+
+**Written to:**
+- `/etc/systemd/system/unitdore-prod-nginx-svc.service`
+- `/etc/systemd/system/unitdore-prod-api-svc.service`
+
+```ini
+# /etc/systemd/system/unitdore-prod-nginx-svc.service
+# Generated by unitdore — do not edit manually
+
+[Unit]
+Description=Unitdore: nginx (podman)
+After=network.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/podman start -a nginx
+ExecStop=/usr/bin/podman stop nginx
+Restart=on-failure
+RestartSec=5
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
+```
+
+**Notes:**
+- `prefix` and `suffix` apply to the **service file name only** — the container name stays unchanged
+- Useful for distinguishing environments (`prod-`, `staging-`) or roles (`-web`, `-worker`)
+
+---
+
+## Container Named by Short ID
+
+If a container has no name (e.g. started with `docker run` without `--name`), unitdore uses its short container ID (first 12 characters) as the unit name.
+
+**Example:** Container ID `a3f2c1b9e4d7` with no name →
+
+**Config entry added by `syncup`:**
+```yaml
+units:
+  - name: a3f2c1b9e4d7
+    runtime: docker
+    order: 1
+    enabled: true
+```
+
+**Written to:** `/etc/systemd/system/unitdore-a3f2c1b9e4d7.service`
+
+**Tip:** After `syncup`, use `unitdore edit` to give it a proper name before running `install`.
+
+---
+
+## Startup Ordering Example
+
+**Config:**
+```yaml
+units:
+  - name: postgres
+    runtime: podman
+    order: 1
+    enabled: true
+
+  - name: redis
+    runtime: podman
+    order: 1         # same order = starts in parallel
+    enabled: true
+
+  - name: api
+    runtime: podman
+    order: 2         # waits until order 1 group is started
+    enabled: true
+
+  - name: nginx
+    runtime: podman
+    order: 3
+    enabled: true
+```
+
+`unitdore active` starts units in ascending `order` value, lowest first.
+Units with the **same order** are started together (parallel).
+
+---
+
+## Disabled Unit
+
+**Config:**
+```yaml
+units:
+  - name: oldthing
+    runtime: podman
+    order: 1
+    enabled: false
+    disabled_reason: container not found
+```
+
+- `unitdore install` will **remove** the `.service` file if it exists
+- `unitdore active` will **skip** disabled units
+- `unitdore status` shows the reason in the REASON column
+
+---
+
+## Quick Reference: Service File Locations
+
+| Scenario | Path |
+|---|---|
+| System unit (root) | `/etc/systemd/system/unitdore-<name>.service` |
+| User unit | `/home/<user>/.config/systemd/user/unitdore-<name>.service` |
+| With prefix `prod-` | `/etc/systemd/system/unitdore-prod-<name>.service` |
+| With suffix `-svc` | `/etc/systemd/system/unitdore-<name>-svc.service` |
+| With both | `/etc/systemd/system/unitdore-prod-<name>-svc.service` |

runtime/docker.go

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ type Docker struct{}
 func (d *Docker) Name() string { return "docker" }
 
 type dockerContainer struct {
+	ID      string `json:"ID"`
 	Names   string `json:"Names"`
 	Image   string `json:"Image"`
 	Command string `json:"Command"`
@@ -41,8 +42,15 @@ func (d *Docker) ListRunning() ([]Container, error) {
 			continue
 		}
 		name := strings.TrimPrefix(c.Names, "/")
+		// Fall back to short container ID if no name assigned
 		if name == "" {
-			continue
+			if len(c.ID) >= 12 {
+				name = c.ID[:12]
+			} else if c.ID != "" {
+				name = c.ID
+			} else {
+				continue
+			}
 		}
 		containers = append(containers, Container{
 			Name:    name,

runtime/podman.go

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ type Podman struct{}
 func (p *Podman) Name() string { return "podman" }
 
 type podmanContainer struct {
+	ID      string   `json:"Id"`
 	Names   []string `json:"Names"`
 	Image   string   `json:"Image"`
 	Command string   `json:"Command"`
@@ -41,8 +42,15 @@ func (p *Podman) ListRunning() ([]Container, error) {
 		if len(c.Names) > 0 {
 			name = c.Names[0]
 		}
+		// Fall back to short container ID if no name assigned
 		if name == "" {
-			continue
+			if len(c.ID) >= 12 {
+				name = c.ID[:12]
+			} else if c.ID != "" {
+				name = c.ID
+			} else {
+				continue
+			}
 		}
 		containers = append(containers, Container{
 			Name:    name,

systemd/generator.go

@@ -51,17 +51,17 @@ type templateData struct {
 	ExecStop    string
 }
 
-// ServiceName returns the systemd service name for a unit.
+// ServiceName returns the systemd service name for a unit, with optional prefix/suffix.
-func ServiceName(u config.Unit) string {
+func ServiceName(u config.Unit, prefix, suffix string) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("unitdore-%s.service", u.Name)
+	return fmt.Sprintf("unitdore-%s%s%s.service", prefix, u.Name, suffix)
 }
 
 // Generate produces the .service file content for a unit.
-func Generate(u config.Unit) (string, error) {
+func Generate(u config.Unit, prefix, suffix string) (string, error) {
 	execStart, execStop := buildExecCommands(u)
 
 	data := templateData{
-		ServiceName: ServiceName(u),
+		ServiceName: ServiceName(u, prefix, suffix),
 		Unit:        u,
 		ExecStart:   execStart,
 		ExecStop:    execStop,

systemd/generator_test.go

@@ -9,10 +9,21 @@ import (
 
 func TestServiceName(t *testing.T) {
 	u := config.Unit{Name: "nginx"}
-	got := ServiceName(u)
+
-	want := "unitdore-nginx.service"
+	tests := []struct {
-	if got != want {
+		prefix, suffix, want string
-		t.Errorf("ServiceName() = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}{
+		{"", "", "unitdore-nginx.service"},
+		{"prod-", "", "unitdore-prod-nginx.service"},
+		{"", "-web", "unitdore-nginx-web.service"},
+		{"prod-", "-web", "unitdore-prod-nginx-web.service"},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		got := ServiceName(u, tt.prefix, tt.suffix)
+		if got != tt.want {
+			t.Errorf("ServiceName(%q, %q) = %q, want %q", tt.prefix, tt.suffix, got, tt.want)
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -24,7 +35,7 @@ func TestGenerate_SystemUnit(t *testing.T) {
 		Enabled: true,
 	}
 
-	content, err := Generate(u)
+	content, err := Generate(u, "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Generate() error: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -59,7 +70,7 @@ func TestGenerate_UserUnit(t *testing.T) {
 		Enabled: true,
 	}
 
-	content, err := Generate(u)
+	content, err := Generate(u, "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Generate() error: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -77,7 +88,6 @@ func TestGenerate_UserUnit(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// System unit markers must NOT appear
 	if strings.Contains(content, "WantedBy=multi-user.target") {
 		t.Error("Generate() user unit should not contain multi-user.target")
 	}
@@ -91,7 +101,7 @@ func TestGenerate_CustomCommand(t *testing.T) {
 		Enabled: true,
 	}
 
-	content, err := Generate(u)
+	content, err := Generate(u, "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Generate() error: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -108,7 +118,7 @@ func TestGenerate_DockerRuntime(t *testing.T) {
 		Enabled: true,
 	}
 
-	content, err := Generate(u)
+	content, err := Generate(u, "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Generate() error: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -128,7 +138,7 @@ func TestGenerate_UnknownRuntime(t *testing.T) {
 		Enabled: true,
 	}
 
-	content, err := Generate(u)
+	content, err := Generate(u, "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Generate() should not error on unknown runtime: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -138,6 +148,23 @@ func TestGenerate_UnknownRuntime(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestGenerate_WithPrefixSuffix(t *testing.T) {
+	u := config.Unit{
+		Name:    "nginx",
+		Runtime: "podman",
+		Enabled: true,
+	}
+
+	content, err := Generate(u, "prod-", "-web")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Generate() error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if !strings.Contains(content, "unitdore-prod-nginx-web.service") {
+		t.Errorf("Generate() prefix+suffix not reflected in service name:\n%s", content)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestBuildExecCommands(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name      string

systemd/manager.go

@@ -13,26 +13,27 @@ import (
 const systemUnitDir = "/etc/systemd/system"
 
 // UnitPath returns the filesystem path where the .service file should be written.
-func UnitPath(u config.Unit) (string, error) {
+func UnitPath(u config.Unit, prefix, suffix string) (string, error) {
+	svcName := ServiceName(u, prefix, suffix)
 	if u.User == "" {
-		return filepath.Join(systemUnitDir, ServiceName(u)), nil
+		return filepath.Join(systemUnitDir, svcName), nil
 	}
 	// Rootless: write to the user's systemd config dir
 	home, err := userHomeDir(u.User)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
-	return filepath.Join(home, ".config", "systemd", "user", ServiceName(u)), nil
+	return filepath.Join(home, ".config", "systemd", "user", svcName), nil
 }
 
 // Install writes the .service file for a unit and reloads systemd.
-func Install(u config.Unit) error {
+func Install(u config.Unit, prefix, suffix string) error {
-	content, err := Generate(u)
+	content, err := Generate(u, prefix, suffix)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	path, err := UnitPath(u)
+	path, err := UnitPath(u, prefix, suffix)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -49,8 +50,8 @@ func Install(u config.Unit) error {
 }
 
 // Uninstall removes the .service file for a unit and reloads systemd.
-func Uninstall(u config.Unit) error {
+func Uninstall(u config.Unit, prefix, suffix string) error {
-	path, err := UnitPath(u)
+	path, err := UnitPath(u, prefix, suffix)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -63,18 +64,18 @@ func Uninstall(u config.Unit) error {
 }
 
 // Enable enables and starts a unit.
-func Enable(u config.Unit) error {
+func Enable(u config.Unit, prefix, suffix string) error {
-	return systemctl(u.User, "enable", "--now", ServiceName(u))
+	return systemctl(u.User, "enable", "--now", ServiceName(u, prefix, suffix))
 }
 
 // Disable disables and stops a unit.
-func Disable(u config.Unit) error {
+func Disable(u config.Unit, prefix, suffix string) error {
-	return systemctl(u.User, "disable", "--now", ServiceName(u))
+	return systemctl(u.User, "disable", "--now", ServiceName(u, prefix, suffix))
 }
 
 // Status returns the ActiveState of a unit ("active", "inactive", "failed", "unknown").
-func Status(u config.Unit) string {
+func Status(u config.Unit, prefix, suffix string) string {
-	args := []string{"show", "-p", "ActiveState", "--value", ServiceName(u)}
+	args := []string{"show", "-p", "ActiveState", "--value", ServiceName(u, prefix, suffix)}
 	var out []byte
 	var err error
 
@@ -90,8 +91,8 @@ func Status(u config.Unit) string {
 }
 
 // IsInstalled returns true if the unit file exists on disk.
-func IsInstalled(u config.Unit) bool {
+func IsInstalled(u config.Unit, prefix, suffix string) bool {
-	path, err := UnitPath(u)
+	path, err := UnitPath(u, prefix, suffix)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false
 	}