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Asked: 2024-09-25T09:56:04+05:30 In:

How can I execute a script automatically after my system restarts in Ubuntu?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to run a specific script automatically after rebooting my Ubuntu system, and it’s been a bit of a headache. So, I’m hoping some of you tech-savvy folks can help me out.

Here’s the deal: I have this script for a personal project that needs to run every time I start my computer. It’s pretty crucial because it sets up a few environment variables and starts a service that I rely on daily. However, I definitely don’t want to have to manually execute this script every single time I reboot. It’s such a drag to have to remember—plus, you know, sometimes I’m in a hurry and I forget, which leads to some frustrating moments.

I’ve read a bit about various methods to automate this, but none of them seem straightforward. I’ve heard people mention using cron jobs or maybe adding it to the startup applications, but I honestly can’t decide which way is the best approach. Cron jobs seem more suited for tasks scheduled at specific intervals, but maybe there’s a way to set it up for just after startup? I also found some discussions about using systemd service files, but that sounds a bit complicated, and I’m not super familiar with it.

I also need to consider that my script might require root permissions, so I’m wondering if that complicates things. Do I need to be cautious about that? I’d love to hear if anyone has practical experience doing this or if there are things I should definitely watch out for.

So if you have any advice or a step-by-step walkthrough, I’m all ears! What’s the best way to get this working? I really don’t want to mess up my Ubuntu setup, but I could really use that script running automatically after a reboot. Thanks!

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    2 Answers






    1. Run Script on Startup in Ubuntu

      How to Run a Script Automatically After Reboot in Ubuntu

      Okay, so here’s the deal—getting a script to run after you reboot your Ubuntu system isn’t as scary as it sounds! It can be done in a few different ways, and I’ll try to break it down for you in a simple way.

      Option 1: Using cron

      You mentioned cron, and here’s some good news: you can actually use it to run scripts at reboot! You just have to add a little entry. Here’s how:

      1. Open the terminal.
      2. Type crontab -e to edit your cron jobs.
      3. At the bottom of the file, add this line:

        4. @reboot /path/to/your/script.sh

      4. Save and exit (usually Ctrl + X, then confirm with Y).

      Remember to replace /path/to/your/script.sh with the actual path to your script!

      Option 2: Using systemd

      If you want to try using systemd (it sounds complicated but it’s actually quite neat!), here’s a simple way:

      1. Create a new service file by typing:

        2. sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/my_script.service

      2. Then, add the following lines:
        3. [Unit]
Description=My Script

[Service]
ExecStart=/path/to/your/script.sh
User=your_username

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
      3. Save and exit.
      4. Now, enable your service to start at boot with:

        5. sudo systemctl enable my_script.service

      5. And finally, you can start it right away with:

        6. sudo systemctl start my_script.service

      Permissions

      If your script needs root permissions, you might need to adjust the User= line in the systemd file accordingly, or run it with sudo in the cron job entry, but be careful with sudo in cron! It can lead to some unexpected issues if not set up right.

      Final Thoughts

      Each option has its pros and cons, but if you’re looking for something straightforward, try the cron method first! Just make sure your script is executable (you can use chmod +x /path/to/your/script.sh). Good luck! You’ve got this!


    2. To run your script automatically after rebooting your Ubuntu system, the recommended approach is to use a systemd service. Systemd is the default init system for many Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, and it allows you to manage system services effectively. First, you’ll need to create a service file for your script. Open a terminal and create a new service file in the systemd directory using the following command: sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/myscript.service. In this file, define your service with the following content:

      [Unit]
Description=Run My Script at Startup
After=multi-user.target

[Service]
Type=simple
ExecStart=/path/to/your/script.sh
User=yourusername
Restart=on-failure

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

      Make sure to replace /path/to/your/script.sh with the actual path to your script and yourusername with your Ubuntu username. Save and exit the file. Next, enable the service to run on startup with sudo systemctl enable myscript.service. If your script requires root permissions, you can include ExecStart within the service file as the root user or consider placing the script in a location that allows execution without needing root (with the necessary permission adjustments). Finally, test the service by running sudo systemctl start myscript.service and check its status using sudo systemctl status myscript.service to ensure it’s working as expected. With this setup, your script should run automatically upon startup without the need for manual execution.

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