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Asked: 2024-09-27T06:30:40+05:30 In:

How can I run a specific script automatically when I close my terminal session in Ubuntu?

I’ve recently been diving into some scripting and terminal sessions on my Ubuntu machine, and I’ve run into something that’s been bugging me a bit. So, here’s the situation: I’m often working on multiple projects concurrently, and I find myself needing to run a specific script every time I close my terminal session. Normally, I would have to remember to execute that script manually, but let’s be honest—my memory isn’t the best, and sometimes I forget. This can lead to some frustrating moments!

I’m talking about a bash script that backs up some critical files and cleans up temporary folders. I know I could run it manually, but that’s not really ideal, especially when I’m trying to streamline my workflow. I’ve done some digging around the configuration files like `.bash_logout` and `~/.bashrc`, but I’m still feeling pretty clueless.

I’ve found some conflicting advice online, with varying degrees of effectiveness. Some people swear by `.bash_logout`, while others suggest using hooks or traps. But honestly, the technical jargon can get overwhelming sometimes. Is there a straightforward way to set this up? I mean, I don’t want to delve deep into complex configurations or get caught up in intricate shell scripting techniques—just a simple solution will do!

I guess what I’m asking is how can I set up my Ubuntu terminal to automatically execute this specific script whenever I exit a terminal session? If you’ve done something like this before, or if you have any tips or guides that you’ve found helpful, I would really appreciate any insights you can share.

It would be a lifesaver if I could walk away from my terminal sessions without the nagging feeling that I might have forgotten something important. So, if you have experience in this matter, can you help a fellow Ubuntu user out? Any advice would be super valuable!

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    2 Answers



    1. Automatically Run a Script on Terminal Exit

      Automatically Run a Script on Terminal Exit

      It sounds like you need a simple way to execute a script every time you close your terminal session. Good news! This is totally doable with a little setup. Since you’re working on Ubuntu, you can use the .bash_logout file for this.

      Steps to Set It Up:

      1. Open your terminal.
      2. Use a text editor to open the .bash_logout file. You might need to create this file if it doesn’t exist. You can use nano or any other text editor you like: 
        nano ~/.bash_logout
      3. Once you’re in the editor, add the command to run your script at the end of the file. It should look something like this: 
        /path/to/your/script.sh

        Just replace /path/to/your/script.sh with the actual path to your backup script.

      4. Save and exit the editor. If you’re using nano, you can do this by pressing CTRL + X, then Y to confirm saving, and hit ENTER.

      Things to Keep in Mind:

      • Make sure your script is executable. You can do this by running: 
        chmod +x /path/to/your/script.sh
      • This setup will run the script every time you exit a terminal session, so you might want to ensure it doesn’t take too long to run.
      • If you need to debug anything, you can add some echo statements in your script to know where it’s at when running.

      And that’s it! Now you can close your terminal and not worry about forgetting to run your backup script. You’ll have a little peace of mind knowing your files are getting backed up automatically every time you log out. Happy coding!


    2. To automatically run a specific bash script when you exit your terminal session, you can utilize the `.bash_logout` file located in your home directory. This file is intended for commands that you want to execute upon logging out of the shell. If it doesn’t already exist, you can create it by running `touch ~/.bash_logout`. Once you have this file, simply open it in your preferred text editor, like `nano` or `vim`, with the command `nano ~/.bash_logout`. Add the path to your backup and cleanup script as the last line, for example: `sh ~/path/to/your/script.sh`. This way, every time you close your terminal, your script will execute automatically, ensuring that your critical files are backed up and temporary folders are cleaned up without any manual intervention required.

      If you prefer a more dynamic approach or if you use multiple terminal sessions, you can also consider using a trap in your `.bash_logout` file. For example, include the following line: `trap ‘sh ~/path/to/your/script.sh’ EXIT`. This allows you to encapsulate the execution of your script within the terminal session, so it runs whenever the shell exits, even if it has been spawned in more complex scenarios. This method also provides a bit more flexibility and control, ensuring your script only runs under specific conditions or exit statuses. Both approaches are straightforward and should help streamline your workflow, letting you close your terminal sessions with peace of mind that your essential tasks are being handled automatically.

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