systemd user unit + timer example

instructions.md

Save these files as ~/.config/systemd/user/some-service-name.*

Run this now and after any modifications: systemctl --user daemon-reload

Try out the service (oneshot): systemctl --user start some-service-name

Check logs if something is wrong: journalctl -u --user-unit some-service-name

Start the timer after this user logs in: systemctl --user enable --now some-service-name.timer

some-service-name.service

[Unit]
Description=Do some thing
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/home/my-user-name/my-service/script.py --some-arg=some-value

[Install]
WantedBy=default.target

some-service-name.timer

[Unit]
Description=Run "Do some thing" every 30 minutes

[Timer]
OnBootSec=3min
OnUnitActiveSec=30min

[Install]
WantedBy=timers.target

Should

• systemctl --user daemon-reload
• systemctl --user start some-service-name
• systemctl --user enable --now some-service-name.timer

be run as root or as the user?