Potential idempotency issue: Role cannot complete when {{ paperless_ngx_dir_runtime_data }} was deleted

[Tronde]

Hi,
I deleted the {{ paperless_ngx_dir_runtime_data }} which was /var/lib/paperless-ngx in my case. I run this role a second time to recreate it including all sub folders. The playbook run failed at task "Check that all services are running". The services didn't start because the folders are missing.

How to reproduce?

sudo systemctl stop paperless*.service
sudo rm -rf /var/lib/paperless-ngx

Next, run the Ansible playbook using this role again.

Expected behavior

I would expect that the role creates the missing directories (again) and configures paperless as declared using the role variables.

Is it a bug or a feature?

I'm not sure whether this role should be able to "repair" broken installations or not. I would expect it to. Could you please triage this issue and state whether it's a bug or not? If you believe it's not a bug please say why you think so as I would like to understand.

Best regards,
Joerg

[stevenengland]

Thank you for all the information, I will have a look as fast as I can. I must admit that because of vacation this actually means about in a week at best.