diff --git a/scripts/install-server.sh b/scripts/install-server.sh
index d896513..5a72067 100755
--- a/scripts/install-server.sh
+++ b/scripts/install-server.sh
@@ -105,6 +105,11 @@ After=network.target lesavka-core.service
 ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/lesavka-server
 Restart=always
 Environment=RUST_LOG=lesavka_server=debug,lesavka_server::usb_gadget=trace
+Environment=RUST_BACKTRACE=1
+Restart=always
+RestartSec=2
+StartLimitIntervalSec=30
+StartLimitBurst=10
 User=root
 
 [Install]
diff --git a/server/src/main.rs b/server/src/main.rs
index a761b8f..7b066ec 100644
--- a/server/src/main.rs
+++ b/server/src/main.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 #![forbid(unsafe_code)]
 
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
-use std::{pin::Pin, sync::Arc, time::Duration};
+use std::{panic, backtrace::Backtrace, pin::Pin, sync::Arc, time::Duration};
 use futures_util::{Stream, StreamExt};
 use tokio::{fs::{OpenOptions}, io::AsyncWriteExt, sync::Mutex};
 use tokio_stream::{wrappers::ReceiverStream};
@@ -63,14 +63,17 @@ async fn open_with_retry(
             .await
         {
             Ok(f) => {
-                info!("✅ opened {path} on attempt #{attempt}");
+                info!("✅ opened {path} ✅ after {attempt} attempt(s)");
                 return Ok(f);
             }
             Err(e) if attempt < retries => {
-                warn!("🕒 {path} not ready ({e}); retrying… #{attempt}");    // will retry
+                warn!("🕒 {path} not ready ({e:?}); retry {attempt}/{retries}");
                 tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(delay_ms)).await;
             }
-            Err(e) => return Err(e).with_context(|| format!("giving up on {path}")),
+            Err(e) => {
+                error!("💥 giving up on {path}: {e:?}");
+                return Err(e).with_context(|| format!("opening {path}"));
+            }
         }
     }
     unreachable!()
@@ -86,16 +89,20 @@ struct Handler {
 
 impl Handler {
     async fn make(gadget: UsbGadget) -> anyhow::Result<Self> {
+        info!("🛠️  Handler::make - cycling gadget ...");
         gadget.cycle()?;
-        tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
+        tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(500)).await;
 
-        let kb = open_with_retry("/dev/hidg0", 10, 100).await?;
-        let ms = open_with_retry("/dev/hidg1", 10, 100).await?;
+        info!("🛠️  opening HID endpoints ...");
+        let kb = open_with_retry("/dev/hidg0", 20, 50).await?;
+        let ms = open_with_retry("/dev/hidg1", 20, 50).await?;
 
-        Ok(Self { kb: Arc::new(Mutex::new(kb)),
-                  ms: Arc::new(Mutex::new(ms)),
-                  gadget,
-                  did_cycle: AtomicBool::new(true),
+        info!("✅ HID endpoints ready");
+        Ok(Self {
+            kb: Arc::new(Mutex::new(kb)),
+            ms: Arc::new(Mutex::new(ms)),
+            gadget,
+            did_cycle: AtomicBool::new(true),
         })
     }
 }
@@ -220,11 +227,22 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     /* logging */
     let _log_guard: WorkerGuard = init_tracing()?;
 
+    panic::set_hook(Box::new(|p| {
+        let bt = Backtrace::force_capture();
+        error!("💥 panic: {p}\n{bt}");
+    }));
+
     /* auto‑cycle task */
     // tokio::spawn(async { monitor_gc311_disconnect().await.ok(); });
 
     let gadget = UsbGadget::new("lesavka");
-    let handler = Handler::make(gadget.clone()).await?;
+    let handler = match Handler::make(gadget.clone()).await {
+        Ok(h) => h,
+        Err(e) => {
+            error!("💥 failed to create Handler: {e:#}");
+            std::process::exit(1);
+        }
+    };
 
     // tokio::spawn({
     //     let gadget = gadget.clone();
@@ -232,7 +250,7 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     //         loop {
     //             tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(4)).await;
     //             if LAST_HID_WRITE.elapsed().as_secs() > 3 {
-    //                 warn!("no HID traffic in 3 s – cycling UDC");
+    //                 warn!("no HID traffic in 3 s - cycling UDC");
     //                 let _ = gadget.cycle();
     //             }
     //         }