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# Autostarting

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From ArchWiki

This article links to various methods to launch scripts or applications automatically when some particular event is taking place.

## On bootup / shutdown

Enable the relevant systemd services. If an application does not provide a systemd service, write your own.

## On user login / logout

Enable the relevant user unit.

## On device plug in / unplug

Use udev rules.

## On time events

Periodically at certain times, dates or intervals:

- systemd/Timers
- Cron

Once at a date and time:

- systemd/Timers
- at

## On filesystem events

Use an inotify event watcher:

- inotify-tools, see inotifywait(1)
- incron
- fswatchAUR
- entr
- systemd can activate units on filesystem events using systemd.path(5) files

## On shell login / logout

See Command-line shell#Configuration files.

## On Xorg startup

- xinitrc if you are starting Xorg manually with xinit.
- xprofile if you are using a display manager.

## On desktop environment startup

Most desktop environments implement XDG Autostart.

If the desktop environments has an article, see its Autostart section.

- GNOME#Autostart
- KDE#Autostart
- Xfce#Autostart
- LXDE#Autostart
- LXQt#Autostart

## On window manager startup

Many window managers implement XDG Autostart.

If the window manager has an article, see its Autostart section.

- awesome#Autostart
- dwm#Autostart
- i3#Autostart
- IceWM#Autostart
- JWM#Autostart
- Fluxbox#Autostart
- Openbox#Autostart
- Sway#Autostart

Category:

- System administration