Home/ Questions/Q 7664
Next
In Process

askthedev.com Latest Questions

Asked: 2024-09-25T16:48:32+05:30 In:

How can I change the default editor that is used for crontab in Ubuntu?

I’ve been diving into scheduling tasks on my Ubuntu system using crontab, and I just hit a bit of a wall. So, here’s my predicament: whenever I run `crontab -e`, it opens up this default text editor that I’m just not a fan of. I’ve been using nano, which feels super basic for my taste, and I really want to switch it up to something I find more comfortable, like vim or maybe even a graphical editor if that’s an option.

I’ve tried poking around in the terminal looking for all sorts of solutions, and while I’ve found bits and pieces of info, nothing seems to nail it down for me. I mean, there are a lot of tutorials out there, but they all seem to take for granted that everyone just wants to stick with the basics. But sometimes I really want an editor that feels right for me, you know?

I’ve seen mentions of setting an environment variable, and that’s where I start to get a little lost. Should I be adding something in my .bashrc or .profile? And if I’m going the vim route, are there special configurations I need to think about to make it work smoothly when I’m editing crontab? Or is there some command line wizardry that I need to know before I jump into this?

Honestly, I just want to make this process feel like home instead of a chore. There’s got to be a straightforward way to switch up the default crontab editor without messing everything up. If anyone has been through this and can share the steps or even a tiny guide, I would really appreciate it! I’m sure there are a few folks who feel the same way. Let’s get this sorted out so we can get back to scheduling our tasks without all the hassle! Thanks!

Share

    Leave an answer

    You must login to add an answer.

    Need An Account,

    2 Answers



    1. Change Default Crontab Editor on Ubuntu

      How to Change Your Default Crontab Editor

      So, you want to make your crontab editing experience less of a headache, huh? Totally get it! Here’s a simple guide to switch your default editor for crontab.

      Step 1: Choose Your Editor

      First, decide if you want to go with vim, or if you’re more into a graphical editor. If you’re feeling adventurous, vim can be great once you get the hang of it!

      Step 2: Set the EDITOR Environment Variable

      You can set the default editor by using an environment variable. This is usually done in your shell profile file. If you’re using bash, you can put this in your .bashrc in your home directory:

      export EDITOR='vim'

      Or if you’re going for a graphical editor (like gedit), you can do:

      export EDITOR='gedit'

      Step 3: Apply the Changes

      After you add that line, you’ll want to apply the changes. You can do this by running:

      source ~/.bashrc

      Step 4: Editing Crontab

      Now, try running:

      crontab -e

      It should open up in your chosen editor now!

      Special Vim Configurations (if needed)

      If you choose vim, there are no super complex configurations needed just for crontab. But, if you want, you can add a few settings to your .vimrc file to make it feel a bit more comfortable, like:

      set number   " Show line numbers
set tabstop=4 " Set tab width to 4 spaces
set shiftwidth=4 " Set indentation to 4 spaces
set expandtab   " Use spaces instead of tabs

      And That’s It!

      After doing all this, editing crontab should feel way easier! No more struggling with the default editor. Enjoy scheduling your tasks without the hassle! 🎉



    2. To change the default text editor for crontab on your Ubuntu system, you can utilize the EDITOR environment variable. This can be set in your user’s profile files such as .bashrc, .bash_profile, or .profile. For most users, modifying .bashrc is preferred. Open your terminal and use the command nano ~/.bashrc (or your preferred editor) to add a line such as export EDITOR='vim' for vim, or export EDITOR='gedit' for a graphical editor like gedit. After saving your changes, run source ~/.bashrc to apply them. The next time you invoke crontab -e, it should open in your chosen editor.

      If you’re going with vim and want a smoother experience, consider creating or editing your .vimrc file. You can include settings for line numbering, syntax highlighting, and other features that enhance your productivity. For common configurations, you can add lines such as set number and syntax on. This approach will make your crontab editing sessions more user-friendly. Once these setup steps are done, you should find it much more enjoyable to manage your scheduled tasks without feeling like you’re stuck with an editor you don’t like.


    Related Questions