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Asked: 2024-09-25T11:29:27+05:30 In:

What steps do I need to follow to ensure that the /etc/rc.local file executes during the system startup process on Ubuntu?

I’ve been tinkering with my Ubuntu setup and I really want to make sure that my custom scripts run automatically when the system starts up. I’ve read that the `/etc/rc.local` file is the way to go for this kind of thing, but I’m kind of stuck on what exactly I need to do to ensure it actually executes during startup.

I know that there have been some changes in newer versions of Ubuntu regarding system initialization, especially with the switch to systemd. It’s a bit confusing because some guides I found still reference old methods that might not apply anymore. I’d love to understand the steps I need to follow, especially since I want my scripts to run right after all the essential services have started, but before the user logs in.

First off, do I need to check if the `/etc/rc.local` file already exists in my system? If it’s not there, what’s the easiest way to create one? Also, I’ve heard that the file needs to be executable — how do I check that or set the permissions correctly?

Furthermore, what format do I need to use for the commands I want to execute? Can I just put any script or command in there, or are there restrictions? Like, what if my script requires specific environment variables or paths — how do I handle that within `/etc/rc.local`?

Lastly, once I’ve set everything up, how can I test to ensure that it’s working as I expect? Is there a way to view logs or check for errors when the system boots up?

I’d really appreciate any tips or pointers from those who have done this before. I just want to make sure I’m not missing anything crucial. Thanks!

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    2 Answers



    1. How to Run Custom Scripts at Startup in Ubuntu

      Running Custom Scripts Automatically on Ubuntu Startup

      If you want to run your custom scripts automatically at startup on Ubuntu, /etc/rc.local is definitely a way to go, but you’re right that things have changed a bit with systemd in newer versions. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you need to do:

      1. Check if /etc/rc.local Exists

      First, open a terminal and check if /etc/rc.local exists by running:

      ls -l /etc/rc.local

      If it doesn’t exist, you can create it like this:

      sudo nano /etc/rc.local

      Inside, you can put the following content to start:

      #!/bin/bash
    exit 0

      2. Make Sure It’s Executable

      Now, to make /etc/rc.local executable, run:

      sudo chmod +x /etc/rc.local

      This will set the right permissions for it to be executed at startup.

      3. Add Your Scripts/Commands

      You can put your scripts or commands inside /etc/rc.local before the exit 0 line. It supports most commands. However, if your script relies on specific environment variables or paths, you might need to set those up directly in the file. It might look something like this:

      export PATH=$PATH:/your/custom/path
    /path/to/your/script.sh

      4. Testing Your Setup

      The good part is that you can test it easily. Just reboot your system and check if your script ran. If you want to see logs or catch errors, you can redirect stdout and stderr to a log file. Modify your command like this:

      /path/to/your/script.sh >> /var/log/myscript.log 2>&1

      After rebooting, check /var/log/myscript.log for any output or errors.

      5. Troubleshooting

      If your script isn’t running, double-check the script path, permissions, and ensure it doesn’t require user input, as /etc/rc.local runs without a logged-in user.

      That should cover the basics! Just be careful with what you’re running there since it runs as root! Good luck with your scripting!


    2. To ensure your custom scripts run automatically during the startup of Ubuntu, you need to verify if the `/etc/rc.local` file exists on your system. In many modern Ubuntu versions using systemd, this file is not created by default. If it’s not present, you can easily create one by using a text editor like `nano` with the command sudo nano /etc/rc.local. The content of this file should start with the shebang line #!/bin/sh -e, followed by your commands before the exit 0 line. After creating or editing, ensure the file is executable by running sudo chmod +x /etc/rc.local. This will grant the necessary permissions for execution during startup.

      When adding commands to the `/etc/rc.local` file, you can include scripts and commands, but ensure they are absolute paths and can handle dependency on environment variables. If your script relies on specific variables, consider sourcing them or defining them directly within the script. For testing, you can use sudo systemctl status rc-local to check its status and view logs for startup messages by inspecting journalctl -b for errors. Additionally, incorporating logging directly within your scripts (e.g., redirecting output to a log file) will help in diagnosing issues if it doesn’t behave as expected on boot.

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