config: fail fast when DNSWATCHER_TARGETS is empty

When DNSWATCHER_TARGETS is empty or unset (the default), dnswatcher now
exits with a clear error message instead of silently starting with
nothing to monitor.

Added ErrNoTargets sentinel error returned from config.New when both
domains and hostnames lists are empty after target classification. This
causes the fx application to fail to start, preventing silent
misconfiguration.

Also extracted classifyAndValidateTargets and parseDurationOrDefault
helper functions to keep buildConfig within the funlen limit.

Closes #69

.dockerignore

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+.git/
+bin/
+*.md
+LICENSE
+.editorconfig
+.gitignore

.editorconfig

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+root = true
+
+[*]
+indent_style = space
+indent_size = 4
+end_of_line = lf
+charset = utf-8
+trim_trailing_whitespace = true
+insert_final_newline = true
+
+[Makefile]
+indent_style = tab

.gitea/workflows/check.yml

@@ -1,26 +1,9 @@
-name: Check
-
-on:
-  push:
-    branches: [main]
-  pull_request:
-    branches: [main]
-
+name: check
+on: [push]
 jobs:
     check:
         runs-on: ubuntu-latest
         steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@34e114876b0b11c390a56381ad16ebd13914f8d5 # v4
-
-      - uses: actions/setup-go@40f1582b2485089dde7abd97c1529aa768e1baff # v5
-        with:
-          go-version-file: go.mod
-
-      - name: Install golangci-lint
-        run: go install github.com/golangci/golangci-lint/v2/cmd/golangci-lint@5d1e709b7be35cb2025444e19de266b056b7b7ee # v2.10.1
-
-      - name: Install goimports
-        run: go install golang.org/x/tools/cmd/goimports@009367f5c17a8d4c45a961a3a509277190a9a6f0 # v0.42.0
-
-      - name: Run make check
-        run: make check
+            # actions/checkout v4.2.2, 2026-02-28
+            - uses: actions/checkout@11bd71901bbe5b1630ceea73d27597364c9af683
+            - run: docker build .

CLAUDE.md

@@ -1,68 +0,0 @@
-# Repository Rules
-
-Last Updated 2026-01-08
-
-These rules MUST be followed at all times, it is very important.
-
-* Never use `git add -A` - add specific changes to a deliberate commit. A
-  commit should contain one change. After each change, make a commit with a
-  good one-line summary.
-
-* NEVER modify the linter config without asking first.
-
-* NEVER modify tests to exclude special cases or otherwise get them to pass
-  without asking first. In almost all cases, the code should be changed,
-  NOT the tests. If you think the test needs to be changed, make your case
-  for that and ask for permission to proceed, then stop. You need explicit
-  user approval to modify existing tests. (You do not need user approval
-  for writing NEW tests.)
-
-* When linting, assume the linter config is CORRECT, and that each item
-  output by the linter is something that legitimately needs fixing in the
-  code.
-
-* When running tests, use `make test`.
-
-* Before commits, run `make check`. This runs `make lint` and `make test`
-  and `make check-fmt`. Any issues discovered MUST be resolved before
-  committing unless explicitly told otherwise.
-
-* When fixing a bug, write a failing test for the bug FIRST. Add
-  appropriate logging to the test to ensure it is written correctly. Commit
-  that. Then go about fixing the bug until the test passes (without
-  modifying the test further). Then commit that.
-
-* When adding a new feature, do the same - implement a test first (TDD). It
-  doesn't have to be super complex. Commit the test, then commit the
-  feature.
-
-* When adding a new feature, use a feature branch. When the feature is
-  completely finished and the code is up to standards (passes `make check`)
-  then and only then can the feature branch be merged into `main` and the
-  branch deleted.
-
-* Write godoc documentation comments for all exported types and functions as
-  you go along.
-
-* ALWAYS be consistent in naming. If you name something one thing in one
-  place, name it the EXACT SAME THING in another place.
-
-* Be descriptive and specific in naming. `wl` is bad;
-  `SourceHostWhitelist` is good. `ConnsPerHost` is bad;
-  `MaxConnectionsPerHost` is good.
-
-* This is not prototype or teaching code - this is designed for production.
-  Any security issues (such as denial of service) or other web
-  vulnerabilities are P1 bugs and must be added to TODO.md at the top.
-
-* As this is production code, no stubbing of implementations unless
-  specifically instructed. We need working implementations.
-
-* Avoid vendoring deps unless specifically instructed to.  NEVER commit
-  the vendor directory, NEVER commit compiled binaries.  If these
-  directories or files exist, add them to .gitignore (and commit the
-  .gitignore) if they are not already in there.  Keep the entire git
-  repository (with history) small - under 20MiB, unless you specifically
-  must commit larger files (e.g. test fixture example media files).  Only
-  OUR source code and immediately supporting files (such as test examples)
-  goes into the repo/history.

Dockerfile

@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 # Build stage
-FROM golang:1.25-alpine AS builder
+# golang 1.25-alpine, 2026-02-28
+FROM golang@sha256:f6751d823c26342f9506c03797d2527668d095b0a15f1862cddb4d927a7a4ced AS builder
 
-RUN apk add --no-cache git make gcc musl-dev
+RUN apk add --no-cache git make gcc musl-dev binutils-gold
 
-# Install golangci-lint v2
-RUN go install github.com/golangci/golangci-lint/v2/cmd/golangci-lint@latest
-RUN go install golang.org/x/tools/cmd/goimports@latest
+# golangci-lint v2.10.1
+RUN go install github.com/golangci/golangci-lint/v2/cmd/golangci-lint@5d1e709b7be35cb2025444e19de266b056b7b7ee
+# goimports v0.42.0
+RUN go install golang.org/x/tools/cmd/goimports@009367f5c17a8d4c45a961a3a509277190a9a6f0
 
 WORKDIR /src
 COPY go.mod go.sum ./
@@ -20,7 +22,8 @@ RUN make check
 RUN make build
 
 # Runtime stage
-FROM alpine:3.21
+# alpine 3.21, 2026-02-28
+FROM alpine@sha256:c3f8e73fdb79deaebaa2037150150191b9dcbfba68b4a46d70103204c53f4709
 
 RUN apk add --no-cache ca-certificates tzdata
 

Makefile

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.PHONY: all build lint fmt test check clean
+.PHONY: all build lint fmt fmt-check test check clean hooks docker
 
 BINARY := dnswatcher
 VERSION := $(shell git describe --tags --always --dirty 2>/dev/null || echo "dev")
@@ -17,8 +17,11 @@ fmt:
 	gofmt -s -w .
 	goimports -w .
 
+fmt-check:
+	@test -z "$$(gofmt -l .)" || (echo "gofmt: files not formatted:" && gofmt -l . && exit 1)
+
 test:
-	go test -v -race -cover ./...
+	go test -v -race -timeout 30s -cover ./...
 
 # Check runs all validation without making changes
 # Used by CI and Docker build - fails if anything is wrong
@@ -28,10 +31,19 @@ check:
 	@echo "==> Running linter..."
 	golangci-lint run --config .golangci.yml ./...
 	@echo "==> Running tests..."
-	go test -v -race ./...
+	go test -v -race -timeout 30s ./...
 	@echo "==> Building..."
 	go build -ldflags "$(LDFLAGS)" -o /dev/null ./cmd/dnswatcher
 	@echo "==> All checks passed!"
 
 clean:
 	rm -rf bin/
+
+hooks:
+	@echo '#!/bin/sh' > .git/hooks/pre-commit
+	@echo 'make check' >> .git/hooks/pre-commit
+	@chmod +x .git/hooks/pre-commit
+	@echo "Pre-commit hook installed."
+
+docker:
+	docker build .

README.md

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 # dnswatcher
 
+dnswatcher is a pre-1.0 Go daemon by [@sneak](https://sneak.berlin) that monitors DNS records, TCP port availability, and TLS certificates, delivering real-time change notifications via Slack, Mattermost, and ntfy webhooks.
+
 > ⚠️ Pre-1.0 software. APIs, configuration, and behavior may change without notice.
 
-dnswatcher is a production DNS and infrastructure monitoring daemon written in
-Go.  It watches configured DNS domains and hostnames for changes, monitors TCP
+dnswatcher watches configured DNS domains and hostnames for changes, monitors TCP
 port availability, tracks TLS certificate expiry, and delivers real-time
 notifications via Slack, Mattermost, and/or ntfy webhooks.
 
@@ -109,8 +110,8 @@ includes:
 - **NS recoveries**: Which nameserver recovered, which hostname/domain.
 - **NS inconsistencies**: Which nameservers disagree, what each one
   returned, which hostname affected.
-- **Port changes**: Which IP:port, old state, new state, associated
-  hostname.
+- **Port changes**: Which IP:port, old state, new state, all associated
+  hostnames.
 - **TLS expiry warnings**: Which certificate, days remaining, CN,
   issuer, associated hostname and IP.
 - **TLS certificate changes**: Old and new CN/issuer/SANs, associated
@@ -289,12 +290,12 @@ not as a merged view, to enable inconsistency detection.
   "ports": {
     "93.184.216.34:80": {
       "open": true,
-      "hostname": "www.example.com",
+      "hostnames": ["www.example.com"],
       "lastChecked": "2026-02-19T12:00:00Z"
     },
     "93.184.216.34:443": {
       "open": true,
-      "hostname": "www.example.com",
+      "hostnames": ["www.example.com"],
       "lastChecked": "2026-02-19T12:00:00Z"
     }
   },
@@ -366,9 +367,15 @@ docker run -d \
    triggering change notifications).
 2. **Initial check**: Immediately perform all DNS, port, and TLS checks
    on startup.
-3. **Periodic checks**:
-   - DNS and port checks: every `DNSWATCHER_DNS_INTERVAL` (default 1h).
-   - TLS checks: every `DNSWATCHER_TLS_INTERVAL` (default 12h).
+3. **Periodic checks** (DNS always runs first):
+   - DNS checks: every `DNSWATCHER_DNS_INTERVAL` (default 1h). Also
+     re-run before every TLS check cycle to ensure fresh IPs.
+   - Port checks: every `DNSWATCHER_DNS_INTERVAL`, after DNS completes.
+   - TLS checks: every `DNSWATCHER_TLS_INTERVAL` (default 12h), after
+     DNS completes.
+   - Port and TLS checks always use freshly resolved IP addresses from
+     the DNS phase that immediately precedes them — never stale IPs
+     from a previous cycle.
 4. **On change detection**: Send notifications to all configured
    endpoints, update in-memory state, persist to disk.
 5. **Shutdown**: Persist final state to disk, complete in-flight
@@ -385,7 +392,18 @@ docker run -d \
 
 ## Project Structure
 
-Follows the conventions defined in `CONVENTIONS.md`, adapted from the
+Follows the conventions defined in `REPO_POLICIES.md`, adapted from the
 [upaas](https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/upaas) project template.  Uses uber/fx
 for dependency injection, go-chi for HTTP routing, slog for logging, and
 Viper for configuration.
+
+---
+
+## License
+
+License has not yet been chosen for this project. Pending decision by the
+author (MIT, GPL, or WTFPL).
+
+## Author
+
+[@sneak](https://sneak.berlin)

REPO_POLICIES.md

@@ -0,0 +1,188 @@
+---
+title: Repository Policies
+last_modified: 2026-02-22
+---
+
+This document covers repository structure, tooling, and workflow standards. Code
+style conventions are in separate documents:
+
+- [Code Styleguide](https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/prompts/raw/branch/main/prompts/CODE_STYLEGUIDE.md)
+  (general, bash, Docker)
+- [Go](https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/prompts/raw/branch/main/prompts/CODE_STYLEGUIDE_GO.md)
+- [JavaScript](https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/prompts/raw/branch/main/prompts/CODE_STYLEGUIDE_JS.md)
+- [Python](https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/prompts/raw/branch/main/prompts/CODE_STYLEGUIDE_PYTHON.md)
+- [Go HTTP Server Conventions](https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/prompts/raw/branch/main/prompts/GO_HTTP_SERVER_CONVENTIONS.md)
+
+---
+
+- Cross-project documentation (such as this file) must include
+  `last_modified: YYYY-MM-DD` in the YAML front matter so it can be kept in sync
+  with the authoritative source as policies evolve.
+
+- **ALL external references must be pinned by cryptographic hash.** This
+  includes Docker base images, Go modules, npm packages, GitHub Actions, and
+  anything else fetched from a remote source. Version tags (`@v4`, `@latest`,
+  `:3.21`, etc.) are server-mutable and therefore remote code execution
+  vulnerabilities. The ONLY acceptable way to reference an external dependency
+  is by its content hash (Docker `@sha256:...`, Go module hash in `go.sum`, npm
+  integrity hash in lockfile, GitHub Actions `@<commit-sha>`). No exceptions.
+  This also means never `curl | bash` to install tools like pyenv, nvm, rustup,
+  etc. Instead, download a specific release archive from GitHub, verify its hash
+  (hardcoded in the Dockerfile or script), and only then install. Unverified
+  install scripts are arbitrary remote code execution. This is the single most
+  important rule in this document. Double-check every external reference in
+  every file before committing. There are zero exceptions to this rule.
+
+- Every repo with software must have a root `Makefile` with these targets:
+  `make test`, `make lint`, `make fmt` (writes), `make fmt-check` (read-only),
+  `make check` (prereqs: `test`, `lint`, `fmt-check`), `make docker`, and
+  `make hooks` (installs pre-commit hook). A model Makefile is at
+  `https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/prompts/raw/branch/main/Makefile`.
+
+- Always use Makefile targets (`make fmt`, `make test`, `make lint`, etc.)
+  instead of invoking the underlying tools directly. The Makefile is the single
+  source of truth for how these operations are run.
+
+- The Makefile is authoritative documentation for how the repo is used. Beyond
+  the required targets above, it should have targets for every common operation:
+  running a local development server (`make run`, `make dev`), re-initializing
+  or migrating the database (`make db-reset`, `make migrate`), building
+  artifacts (`make build`), generating code, seeding data, or anything else a
+  developer would do regularly. If someone checks out the repo and types
+  `make<tab>`, they should see every meaningful operation available. A new
+  contributor should be able to understand the entire development workflow by
+  reading the Makefile.
+
+- Every repo should have a `Dockerfile`. All Dockerfiles must run `make check`
+  as a build step so the build fails if the branch is not green. For non-server
+  repos, the Dockerfile should bring up a development environment and run
+  `make check`. For server repos, `make check` should run as an early build
+  stage before the final image is assembled.
+
+- Every repo should have a Gitea Actions workflow (`.gitea/workflows/`) that
+  runs `docker build .` on push. Since the Dockerfile already runs `make check`,
+  a successful build implies all checks pass.
+
+- Use platform-standard formatters: `black` for Python, `prettier` for
+  JS/CSS/Markdown/HTML, `go fmt` for Go. Always use default configuration with
+  two exceptions: four-space indents (except Go), and `proseWrap: always` for
+  Markdown (hard-wrap at 80 columns). Documentation and writing repos (Markdown,
+  HTML, CSS) should also have `.prettierrc` and `.prettierignore`.
+
+- Pre-commit hook: `make check` if local testing is possible, otherwise
+  `make lint && make fmt-check`. The Makefile should provide a `make hooks`
+  target to install the pre-commit hook.
+
+- All repos with software must have tests that run via the platform-standard
+  test framework (`go test`, `pytest`, `jest`/`vitest`, etc.). If no meaningful
+  tests exist yet, add the most minimal test possible — e.g. importing the
+  module under test to verify it compiles/parses. There is no excuse for
+  `make test` to be a no-op.
+
+- `make test` must complete in under 20 seconds. Add a 30-second timeout in the
+  Makefile.
+
+- Docker builds must complete in under 5 minutes.
+
+- `make check` must not modify any files in the repo. Tests may use temporary
+  directories.
+
+- `main` must always pass `make check`, no exceptions.
+
+- Never commit secrets. `.env` files, credentials, API keys, and private keys
+  must be in `.gitignore`. No exceptions.
+
+- `.gitignore` should be comprehensive from the start: OS files (`.DS_Store`),
+  editor files (`.swp`, `*~`), language build artifacts, and `node_modules/`.
+  Fetch the standard `.gitignore` from
+  `https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/prompts/raw/branch/main/.gitignore` when setting up
+  a new repo.
+
+- Never use `git add -A` or `git add .`. Always stage files explicitly by name.
+
+- Never force-push to `main`.
+
+- Make all changes on a feature branch. You can do whatever you want on a
+  feature branch.
+
+- `.golangci.yml` is standardized and must _NEVER_ be modified by an agent, only
+  manually by the user. Fetch from
+  `https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/prompts/raw/branch/main/.golangci.yml`.
+
+- When pinning images or packages by hash, add a comment above the reference
+  with the version and date (YYYY-MM-DD).
+
+- Use `yarn`, not `npm`.
+
+- Write all dates as YYYY-MM-DD (ISO 8601).
+
+- Simple projects should be configured with environment variables.
+
+- Dockerized web services listen on port 8080 by default, overridable with
+  `PORT`.
+
+- `README.md` is the primary documentation. Required sections:
+    - **Description**: First line must include the project name, purpose,
+      category (web server, SPA, CLI tool, etc.), license, and author. Example:
+      "µPaaS is an MIT-licensed Go web application by @sneak that receives
+      git-frontend webhooks and deploys applications via Docker in realtime."
+    - **Getting Started**: Copy-pasteable install/usage code block.
+    - **Rationale**: Why does this exist?
+    - **Design**: How is the program structured?
+    - **TODO**: Update meticulously, even between commits. When planning, put
+      the todo list in the README so a new agent can pick up where the last one
+      left off.
+    - **License**: MIT, GPL, or WTFPL. Ask the user for new projects. Include a
+      `LICENSE` file in the repo root and a License section in the README.
+    - **Author**: [@sneak](https://sneak.berlin).
+
+- First commit of a new repo should contain only `README.md`.
+
+- Go module root: `sneak.berlin/go/<name>`. Always run `go mod tidy` before
+  committing.
+
+- Use SemVer.
+
+- Database migrations live in `internal/db/migrations/` and must be embedded in
+  the binary.
+  - `000_migration.sql` — contains ONLY the creation of the migrations tracking
+    table itself. Nothing else.
+  - `001_schema.sql` — the full application schema.
+  - **Pre-1.0.0:** never add additional migration files (002, 003, etc.). There
+    is no installed base to migrate. Edit `001_schema.sql` directly.
+  - **Post-1.0.0:** add new numbered migration files for each schema change.
+    Never edit existing migrations after release.
+
+- All repos should have an `.editorconfig` enforcing the project's indentation
+  settings.
+
+- Avoid putting files in the repo root unless necessary. Root should contain
+  only project-level config files (`README.md`, `Makefile`, `Dockerfile`,
+  `LICENSE`, `.gitignore`, `.editorconfig`, `REPO_POLICIES.md`, and
+  language-specific config). Everything else goes in a subdirectory. Canonical
+  subdirectory names:
+    - `bin/` — executable scripts and tools
+    - `cmd/` — Go command entrypoints
+    - `configs/` — configuration templates and examples
+    - `deploy/` — deployment manifests (k8s, compose, terraform)
+    - `docs/` — documentation and markdown (README.md stays in root)
+    - `internal/` — Go internal packages
+    - `internal/db/migrations/` — database migrations
+    - `pkg/` — Go library packages
+    - `share/` — systemd units, data files
+    - `static/` — static assets (images, fonts, etc.)
+    - `web/` — web frontend source
+
+- When setting up a new repo, files from the `prompts` repo may be used as
+  templates. Fetch them from
+  `https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/prompts/raw/branch/main/<path>`.
+
+- New repos must contain at minimum:
+    - `README.md`, `.git`, `.gitignore`, `.editorconfig`
+    - `LICENSE`, `REPO_POLICIES.md` (copy from the `prompts` repo)
+    - `Makefile`
+    - `Dockerfile`, `.dockerignore`
+    - `.gitea/workflows/check.yml`
+    - Go: `go.mod`, `go.sum`, `.golangci.yml`
+    - JS: `package.json`, `yarn.lock`, `.prettierrc`, `.prettierignore`
+    - Python: `pyproject.toml`

internal/config/config.go

@@ -15,6 +15,12 @@ import (
 	"sneak.berlin/go/dnswatcher/internal/logger"
 )
 
+// ErrNoTargets is returned when DNSWATCHER_TARGETS is empty or unset.
+var ErrNoTargets = errors.New(
+	"no targets configured: set DNSWATCHER_TARGETS to a comma-separated " +
+		"list of DNS names to monitor",
+)
+
 // Default configuration values.
 const (
 	defaultPort             = 8080
@@ -118,25 +124,9 @@ func buildConfig(
 		}
 	}
 
-	dnsInterval, err := time.ParseDuration(
-		viper.GetString("DNS_INTERVAL"),
-	)
+	domains, hostnames, err := classifyAndValidateTargets()
 	if err != nil {
-		dnsInterval = defaultDNSInterval
-	}
-
-	tlsInterval, err := time.ParseDuration(
-		viper.GetString("TLS_INTERVAL"),
-	)
-	if err != nil {
-		tlsInterval = defaultTLSInterval
-	}
-
-	domains, hostnames, err := ClassifyTargets(
-		parseCSV(viper.GetString("TARGETS")),
-	)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid targets configuration: %w", err)
+		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	cfg := &Config{
@@ -148,8 +138,8 @@ func buildConfig(
 		SlackWebhook:      viper.GetString("SLACK_WEBHOOK"),
 		MattermostWebhook: viper.GetString("MATTERMOST_WEBHOOK"),
 		NtfyTopic:         viper.GetString("NTFY_TOPIC"),
-		DNSInterval:       dnsInterval,
-		TLSInterval:       tlsInterval,
+		DNSInterval:       parseDurationOrDefault("DNS_INTERVAL", defaultDNSInterval),
+		TLSInterval:       parseDurationOrDefault("TLS_INTERVAL", defaultTLSInterval),
 		TLSExpiryWarning:  viper.GetInt("TLS_EXPIRY_WARNING"),
 		SentryDSN:         viper.GetString("SENTRY_DSN"),
 		MaintenanceMode:   viper.GetBool("MAINTENANCE_MODE"),
@@ -162,6 +152,32 @@ func buildConfig(
 	return cfg, nil
 }
 
+func classifyAndValidateTargets() ([]string, []string, error) {
+	domains, hostnames, err := ClassifyTargets(
+		parseCSV(viper.GetString("TARGETS")),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf(
+			"invalid targets configuration: %w", err,
+		)
+	}
+
+	if len(domains) == 0 && len(hostnames) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil, ErrNoTargets
+	}
+
+	return domains, hostnames, nil
+}
+
+func parseDurationOrDefault(key string, fallback time.Duration) time.Duration {
+	d, err := time.ParseDuration(viper.GetString(key))
+	if err != nil {
+		return fallback
+	}
+
+	return d
+}
+
 func parseCSV(input string) []string {
 	if input == "" {
 		return nil

internal/config/config_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+package config_test
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+
+	"go.uber.org/fx"
+
+	"sneak.berlin/go/dnswatcher/internal/config"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/dnswatcher/internal/globals"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/dnswatcher/internal/logger"
+)
+
+func TestNewReturnsErrNoTargetsWhenEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	// Cannot use t.Parallel() because t.Setenv modifies the process
+	// environment.
+	t.Setenv("DNSWATCHER_TARGETS", "")
+	t.Setenv("DNSWATCHER_DATA_DIR", t.TempDir())
+
+	var cfg *config.Config
+
+	app := fx.New(
+		fx.Provide(
+			func() *globals.Globals {
+				return &globals.Globals{
+					Appname: "dnswatcher-test-empty",
+				}
+			},
+			logger.New,
+			config.New,
+		),
+		fx.Populate(&cfg),
+		fx.NopLogger,
+	)
+
+	err := app.Err()
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal(
+			"expected error when DNSWATCHER_TARGETS is empty, got nil",
+		)
+	}
+
+	if !errors.Is(err, config.ErrNoTargets) {
+		t.Errorf("expected ErrNoTargets, got: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewSucceedsWithTargets(t *testing.T) {
+	// Cannot use t.Parallel() because t.Setenv modifies the process
+	// environment.
+	t.Setenv("DNSWATCHER_TARGETS", "example.com")
+	t.Setenv("DNSWATCHER_DATA_DIR", t.TempDir())
+
+	// Prevent loading a local config file by changing to a temp dir.
+	t.Chdir(t.TempDir())
+
+	var cfg *config.Config
+
+	app := fx.New(
+		fx.Provide(
+			func() *globals.Globals {
+				return &globals.Globals{
+					Appname: "dnswatcher-test-ok",
+				}
+			},
+			logger.New,
+			config.New,
+		),
+		fx.Populate(&cfg),
+		fx.NopLogger,
+	)
+
+	err := app.Err()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf(
+			"expected no error with valid targets, got: %v",
+			err,
+		)
+	}
+
+	if len(cfg.Domains) != 1 || cfg.Domains[0] != "example.com" {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"expected [example.com], got domains=%v",
+			cfg.Domains,
+		)
+	}
+}

internal/resolver/iterative.go

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"math/rand"
 	"net"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
@@ -42,22 +41,6 @@ func rootServerList() []string {
 	}
 }
 
-const maxRootServers = 3
-
-// randomRootServers returns a shuffled subset of root servers.
-func randomRootServers() []string {
-	all := rootServerList()
-	rand.Shuffle(len(all), func(i, j int) {
-		all[i], all[j] = all[j], all[i]
-	})
-
-	if len(all) > maxRootServers {
-		return all[:maxRootServers]
-	}
-
-	return all
-}
-
 func checkCtx(ctx context.Context) error {
 	err := ctx.Err()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -244,7 +227,7 @@ func (r *Resolver) followDelegation(
 
 		authNS := extractNSSet(resp.Ns)
 		if len(authNS) == 0 {
-			return r.resolveNSRecursive(ctx, domain)
+			return r.resolveNSIterative(ctx, domain)
 		}
 
 		glue := extractGlue(resp.Extra)
@@ -308,60 +291,84 @@ func (r *Resolver) resolveNSIPs(
 	return ips
 }
 
-// resolveNSRecursive queries for NS records using recursive
-// resolution as a fallback for intercepted environments.
-func (r *Resolver) resolveNSRecursive(
+// resolveNSIterative queries for NS records using iterative
+// resolution as a fallback when followDelegation finds no
+// authoritative answer in the delegation chain.
+func (r *Resolver) resolveNSIterative(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	domain string,
 ) ([]string, error) {
-	domain = dns.Fqdn(domain)
-	msg := new(dns.Msg)
-	msg.SetQuestion(domain, dns.TypeNS)
-	msg.RecursionDesired = true
-
-	for _, ip := range randomRootServers() {
 	if checkCtx(ctx) != nil {
 		return nil, ErrContextCanceled
 	}
 
-		addr := net.JoinHostPort(ip, "53")
+	domain = dns.Fqdn(domain)
+	servers := rootServerList()
 
-		resp, _, err := r.client.ExchangeContext(ctx, msg, addr)
+	for range maxDelegation {
+		if checkCtx(ctx) != nil {
+			return nil, ErrContextCanceled
+		}
+
+		resp, err := r.queryServers(
+			ctx, servers, domain, dns.TypeNS,
+		)
 		if err != nil {
-			continue
+			return nil, err
 		}
 
 		nsNames := extractNSSet(resp.Answer)
 		if len(nsNames) > 0 {
 			return nsNames, nil
 		}
+
+		// Follow delegation.
+		authNS := extractNSSet(resp.Ns)
+		if len(authNS) == 0 {
+			break
+		}
+
+		glue := extractGlue(resp.Extra)
+		nextServers := glueIPs(authNS, glue)
+
+		if len(nextServers) == 0 {
+			break
+		}
+
+		servers = nextServers
 	}
 
 	return nil, ErrNoNameservers
 }
 
-// resolveARecord resolves a hostname to IPv4 addresses.
+// resolveARecord resolves a hostname to IPv4 addresses using
+// iterative resolution through the delegation chain.
 func (r *Resolver) resolveARecord(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	hostname string,
 ) ([]string, error) {
-	hostname = dns.Fqdn(hostname)
-	msg := new(dns.Msg)
-	msg.SetQuestion(hostname, dns.TypeA)
-	msg.RecursionDesired = true
-
-	for _, ip := range randomRootServers() {
 	if checkCtx(ctx) != nil {
 		return nil, ErrContextCanceled
 	}
 
-		addr := net.JoinHostPort(ip, "53")
+	hostname = dns.Fqdn(hostname)
+	servers := rootServerList()
 
-		resp, _, err := r.client.ExchangeContext(ctx, msg, addr)
-		if err != nil {
-			continue
+	for range maxDelegation {
+		if checkCtx(ctx) != nil {
+			return nil, ErrContextCanceled
 		}
 
+		resp, err := r.queryServers(
+			ctx, servers, hostname, dns.TypeA,
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+				"resolving %s: %w", hostname, err,
+			)
+		}
+
+		// Check for A records in the answer section.
 		var ips []string
 
 		for _, rr := range resp.Answer {
@@ -373,6 +380,24 @@ func (r *Resolver) resolveARecord(
 		if len(ips) > 0 {
 			return ips, nil
 		}
+
+		// Follow delegation if present.
+		authNS := extractNSSet(resp.Ns)
+		if len(authNS) == 0 {
+			break
+		}
+
+		glue := extractGlue(resp.Extra)
+		nextServers := glueIPs(authNS, glue)
+
+		if len(nextServers) == 0 {
+			// Resolve NS IPs iteratively — but guard
+			// against infinite recursion by using only
+			// already-resolved servers.
+			break
+		}
+
+		servers = nextServers
 	}
 
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf(
@@ -402,7 +427,7 @@ func (r *Resolver) FindAuthoritativeNameservers(
 		candidate := strings.Join(labels[i:], ".") + "."
 
 		nsNames, err := r.followDelegation(
-			ctx, candidate, randomRootServers(),
+			ctx, candidate, rootServerList(),
 		)
 		if err == nil && len(nsNames) > 0 {
 			sort.Strings(nsNames)
@@ -480,7 +505,6 @@ type queryState struct {
 	gotNXDomain bool
 	gotSERVFAIL bool
 	gotTimeout  bool
-	gotError    bool
 	hasRecords  bool
 }
 
@@ -518,11 +542,8 @@ func (r *Resolver) querySingleType(
 ) {
 	msg, err := r.queryDNS(ctx, nsIP, hostname, qtype)
 	if err != nil {
-		var netErr net.Error
-		if errors.As(err, &netErr) && netErr.Timeout() {
+		if isTimeout(err) {
 			state.gotTimeout = true
-		} else {
-			state.gotError = true
 		}
 
 		return
@@ -562,6 +583,16 @@ func collectAnswerRecords(
 	}
 }
 
+// isTimeout checks whether an error is a network timeout.
+func isTimeout(err error) bool {
+	var netErr net.Error
+	if errors.As(err, &netErr) {
+		return netErr.Timeout()
+	}
+
+	return false
+}
+
 func classifyResponse(resp *NameserverResponse, state queryState) {
 	switch {
 	case state.gotNXDomain && !state.hasRecords:
@@ -569,22 +600,14 @@ func classifyResponse(resp *NameserverResponse, state queryState) {
 	case state.gotTimeout && !state.hasRecords:
 		resp.Status = StatusTimeout
 		resp.Error = "all queries timed out"
-	case (state.gotError || state.gotSERVFAIL) && !state.hasRecords:
+	case state.gotSERVFAIL && !state.hasRecords:
 		resp.Status = StatusError
-		resp.Error = errorMessageForState(state)
+		resp.Error = "server returned SERVFAIL"
 	case !state.hasRecords && !state.gotNXDomain:
 		resp.Status = StatusNoData
 	}
 }
 
-func errorMessageForState(state queryState) string {
-	if state.gotSERVFAIL {
-		return "server returned SERVFAIL"
-	}
-
-	return "query failed due to non-timeout error"
-}
-
 // extractRecordValue formats a DNS RR value as a string.
 func extractRecordValue(rr dns.RR) string {
 	switch r := rr.(type) {

internal/state/state.go

@@ -57,10 +57,49 @@ type HostnameState struct {
 // PortState holds the monitoring state for a port.
 type PortState struct {
 	Open        bool      `json:"open"`
-	Hostname    string    `json:"hostname"`
+	Hostnames   []string  `json:"hostnames"`
 	LastChecked time.Time `json:"lastChecked"`
 }
 
+// UnmarshalJSON implements custom unmarshaling to handle both
+// the old single-hostname format and the new multi-hostname
+// format for backward compatibility with existing state files.
+func (ps *PortState) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
+	// Use an alias to prevent infinite recursion.
+	type portStateAlias struct {
+		Open        bool      `json:"open"`
+		Hostnames   []string  `json:"hostnames"`
+		LastChecked time.Time `json:"lastChecked"`
+	}
+
+	var alias portStateAlias
+
+	err := json.Unmarshal(data, &alias)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unmarshaling port state: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	ps.Open = alias.Open
+	ps.Hostnames = alias.Hostnames
+	ps.LastChecked = alias.LastChecked
+
+	// If Hostnames is empty, try reading the old single-hostname
+	// format for backward compatibility.
+	if len(ps.Hostnames) == 0 {
+		var old struct {
+			Hostname string `json:"hostname"`
+		}
+
+		// Best-effort: ignore errors since the main unmarshal
+		// already succeeded.
+		if json.Unmarshal(data, &old) == nil && old.Hostname != "" {
+			ps.Hostnames = []string{old.Hostname}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // CertificateState holds TLS certificate monitoring state.
 type CertificateState struct {
 	CommonName              string    `json:"commonName"`
@@ -263,6 +302,27 @@ func (s *State) GetPortState(key string) (*PortState, bool) {
 	return ps, ok
 }
 
+// DeletePortState removes a port state entry.
+func (s *State) DeletePortState(key string) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	delete(s.snapshot.Ports, key)
+}
+
+// GetAllPortKeys returns all port state keys.
+func (s *State) GetAllPortKeys() []string {
+	s.mu.RLock()
+	defer s.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(s.snapshot.Ports))
+	for k := range s.snapshot.Ports {
+		keys = append(keys, k)
+	}
+
+	return keys
+}
+
 // SetCertificateState updates the state for a certificate.
 func (s *State) SetCertificateState(
 	key string,

internal/watcher/watcher.go

@@ -72,13 +72,15 @@ func New(
 	}
 
 	lifecycle.Append(fx.Hook{
-		OnStart: func(startCtx context.Context) error {
-			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(
-				context.WithoutCancel(startCtx),
-			)
+		OnStart: func(_ context.Context) error {
+			// Use context.Background() — the fx startup context
+			// expires after startup completes, so deriving from it
+			// would cancel the watcher immediately. The watcher's
+			// lifetime is controlled by w.cancel in OnStop.
+			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 			w.cancel = cancel
 
-			go w.Run(ctx)
+			go w.Run(ctx) //nolint:contextcheck // intentionally not derived from startCtx
 
 			return nil
 		},
@@ -141,9 +143,16 @@ func (w *Watcher) Run(ctx context.Context) {
 
 			return
 		case <-dnsTicker.C:
-			w.runDNSAndPortChecks(ctx)
+			w.runDNSChecks(ctx)
+
+			w.checkAllPorts(ctx)
 			w.saveState()
 		case <-tlsTicker.C:
+			// Run DNS first so TLS checks use freshly
+			// resolved IP addresses, not stale ones from
+			// a previous cycle.
+			w.runDNSChecks(ctx)
+
 			w.runTLSChecks(ctx)
 			w.saveState()
 		}
@@ -151,10 +160,26 @@ func (w *Watcher) Run(ctx context.Context) {
 }
 
 // RunOnce performs a single complete monitoring cycle.
+// DNS checks run first so that port and TLS checks use
+// freshly resolved IP addresses. Port checks run before
+// TLS because TLS checks only target IPs with an open
+// port 443.
 func (w *Watcher) RunOnce(ctx context.Context) {
 	w.detectFirstRun()
-	w.runDNSAndPortChecks(ctx)
+
+	// Phase 1: DNS resolution must complete first so that
+	// subsequent checks use fresh IP addresses.
+	w.runDNSChecks(ctx)
+
+	// Phase 2: Port checks populate port state that TLS
+	// checks depend on (TLS only targets IPs where port
+	// 443 is open).
+	w.checkAllPorts(ctx)
+
+	// Phase 3: TLS checks use fresh DNS IPs and current
+	// port state.
 	w.runTLSChecks(ctx)
+
 	w.saveState()
 	w.firstRun = false
 }
@@ -171,7 +196,11 @@ func (w *Watcher) detectFirstRun() {
 	}
 }
 
-func (w *Watcher) runDNSAndPortChecks(ctx context.Context) {
+// runDNSChecks performs DNS resolution for all configured domains
+// and hostnames, updating state with freshly resolved records.
+// This must complete before port or TLS checks run so those
+// checks operate on current IP addresses.
+func (w *Watcher) runDNSChecks(ctx context.Context) {
 	for _, domain := range w.config.Domains {
 		w.checkDomain(ctx, domain)
 	}
@@ -179,8 +208,6 @@ func (w *Watcher) runDNSAndPortChecks(ctx context.Context) {
 	for _, hostname := range w.config.Hostnames {
 		w.checkHostname(ctx, hostname)
 	}
-
-	w.checkAllPorts(ctx)
 }
 
 func (w *Watcher) checkDomain(
@@ -448,24 +475,94 @@ func (w *Watcher) detectInconsistencies(
 }
 
 func (w *Watcher) checkAllPorts(ctx context.Context) {
-	for _, hostname := range w.config.Hostnames {
-		w.checkPortsForHostname(ctx, hostname)
+	// Phase 1: Build current IP:port → hostname associations
+	// from fresh DNS data.
+	associations := w.buildPortAssociations()
+
+	// Phase 2: Check each unique IP:port and update state
+	// with the full set of associated hostnames.
+	for key, hostnames := range associations {
+		ip, port := parsePortKey(key)
+		if port == 0 {
+			continue
 		}
 
-	for _, domain := range w.config.Domains {
-		w.checkPortsForHostname(ctx, domain)
-	}
+		w.checkSinglePort(ctx, ip, port, hostnames)
 	}
 
-func (w *Watcher) checkPortsForHostname(
-	ctx context.Context,
-	hostname string,
-) {
-	ips := w.collectIPs(hostname)
+	// Phase 3: Remove port state entries that no longer have
+	// any hostname referencing them.
+	w.cleanupStalePorts(associations)
+}
 
+// buildPortAssociations constructs a map from IP:port keys to
+// the sorted set of hostnames currently resolving to that IP.
+func (w *Watcher) buildPortAssociations() map[string][]string {
+	assoc := make(map[string]map[string]bool)
+
+	allNames := make(
+		[]string, 0,
+		len(w.config.Hostnames)+len(w.config.Domains),
+	)
+	allNames = append(allNames, w.config.Hostnames...)
+	allNames = append(allNames, w.config.Domains...)
+
+	for _, name := range allNames {
+		ips := w.collectIPs(name)
 		for _, ip := range ips {
 			for _, port := range monitoredPorts {
-			w.checkSinglePort(ctx, ip, port, hostname)
+				key := fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", ip, port)
+				if assoc[key] == nil {
+					assoc[key] = make(map[string]bool)
+				}
+
+				assoc[key][name] = true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	result := make(map[string][]string, len(assoc))
+	for key, set := range assoc {
+		hostnames := make([]string, 0, len(set))
+		for h := range set {
+			hostnames = append(hostnames, h)
+		}
+
+		sort.Strings(hostnames)
+
+		result[key] = hostnames
+	}
+
+	return result
+}
+
+// parsePortKey splits an "ip:port" key into its components.
+func parsePortKey(key string) (string, int) {
+	lastColon := strings.LastIndex(key, ":")
+	if lastColon < 0 {
+		return key, 0
+	}
+
+	ip := key[:lastColon]
+
+	var p int
+
+	_, err := fmt.Sscanf(key[lastColon+1:], "%d", &p)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ip, 0
+	}
+
+	return ip, p
+}
+
+// cleanupStalePorts removes port state entries that are no
+// longer referenced by any hostname in the current DNS data.
+func (w *Watcher) cleanupStalePorts(
+	currentAssociations map[string][]string,
+) {
+	for _, key := range w.state.GetAllPortKeys() {
+		if _, exists := currentAssociations[key]; !exists {
+			w.state.DeletePortState(key)
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -502,7 +599,7 @@ func (w *Watcher) checkSinglePort(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	ip string,
 	port int,
-	hostname string,
+	hostnames []string,
 ) {
 	result, err := w.portCheck.CheckPort(ctx, ip, port)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -527,8 +624,8 @@ func (w *Watcher) checkSinglePort(
 		}
 
 		msg := fmt.Sprintf(
-			"Host: %s\nAddress: %s\nPort now %s",
-			hostname, key, stateStr,
+			"Hosts: %s\nAddress: %s\nPort now %s",
+			strings.Join(hostnames, ", "), key, stateStr,
 		)
 
 		w.notify.SendNotification(
@@ -541,7 +638,7 @@ func (w *Watcher) checkSinglePort(
 
 	w.state.SetPortState(key, &state.PortState{
 		Open:        result.Open,
-		Hostname:    hostname,
+		Hostnames:   hostnames,
 		LastChecked: now,
 	})
 }

internal/watcher/watcher_test.go

@@ -682,6 +682,80 @@ func TestGracefulShutdown(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func setupHostnameIP(
+	deps *testDeps,
+	hostname, ip string,
+) {
+	deps.resolver.allRecords[hostname] = map[string]map[string][]string{
+		"ns1.example.com.": {"A": {ip}},
+	}
+	deps.portChecker.results[ip+":80"] = true
+	deps.portChecker.results[ip+":443"] = true
+	deps.tlsChecker.certs[ip+":"+hostname] = &tlscheck.CertificateInfo{
+		CommonName:              hostname,
+		Issuer:                  "DigiCert",
+		NotAfter:                time.Now().Add(90 * 24 * time.Hour),
+		SubjectAlternativeNames: []string{hostname},
+	}
+}
+
+func updateHostnameIP(deps *testDeps, hostname, ip string) {
+	deps.resolver.mu.Lock()
+	deps.resolver.allRecords[hostname] = map[string]map[string][]string{
+		"ns1.example.com.": {"A": {ip}},
+	}
+	deps.resolver.mu.Unlock()
+
+	deps.portChecker.mu.Lock()
+	deps.portChecker.results[ip+":80"] = true
+	deps.portChecker.results[ip+":443"] = true
+	deps.portChecker.mu.Unlock()
+
+	deps.tlsChecker.mu.Lock()
+	deps.tlsChecker.certs[ip+":"+hostname] = &tlscheck.CertificateInfo{
+		CommonName:              hostname,
+		Issuer:                  "DigiCert",
+		NotAfter:                time.Now().Add(90 * 24 * time.Hour),
+		SubjectAlternativeNames: []string{hostname},
+	}
+	deps.tlsChecker.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+func TestDNSRunsBeforePortAndTLSChecks(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	cfg := defaultTestConfig(t)
+	cfg.Hostnames = []string{"www.example.com"}
+
+	w, deps := newTestWatcher(t, cfg)
+
+	setupHostnameIP(deps, "www.example.com", "10.0.0.1")
+
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	w.RunOnce(ctx)
+
+	snap := deps.state.GetSnapshot()
+	if _, ok := snap.Ports["10.0.0.1:80"]; !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected port state for 10.0.0.1:80")
+	}
+
+	// DNS changes to a new IP; port and TLS must pick it up.
+	updateHostnameIP(deps, "www.example.com", "10.0.0.2")
+
+	w.RunOnce(ctx)
+
+	snap = deps.state.GetSnapshot()
+
+	if _, ok := snap.Ports["10.0.0.2:80"]; !ok {
+		t.Error("port check used stale DNS: missing 10.0.0.2:80")
+	}
+
+	certKey := "10.0.0.2:443:www.example.com"
+	if _, ok := snap.Certificates[certKey]; !ok {
+		t.Error("TLS check used stale DNS: missing " + certKey)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestNSFailureAndRecovery(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()