How to setup a service to automatically run a python script when the BeagleBone Black (BBB) reboots. These instructions allow you to setup a python script to automatically start when the BeagleBone (running Angstrom linux with systemd) restarts.

bbb_boot_service_instructions.md

Creating a service to startup at BeagleBone Black boot time:

• Create a shell script such as /usr/bin/myFancyBash.sh:

    #!/bin/bash
  
    # this could be any runnable code or shell script, really
    /usr/bin/myFancyPython.py 
  

Note that the first line is critical.

• Create a service file in /lib/systemd/myFancy.service such as:

    [Unit]
    Description=My Fancy Service
  
    [Service]
    Type=simple
    ExecStart=/usr/bin/myFancyBash.sh
  
    [Install]
    WantedBy=multi-user.target
  

• Create a symbolic link between your script and a special location under /etc:

    ln -s /lib/systemd/myFancy.service /etc/systemd/system/myFancy.service
  

• Make systemd aware of your new service

    systemctl daemon-reload
    systemctl enable myFancy.service
    systemctl start myFancy.service
  

• Reboot the BeagleBone Black to see your script in action

• If you wish to control the service at runtime, you can use systemctl commands:

    systemctl status myFancy.service
    systemctl stop myFancy.service
    systemctl start myFancy.service
    systemctl disable myFancy.service
  

Hi, I followed this to the letter but get

systemctl enable myFancy.service
Failed to issue method call: No such file or directory

I found I had to change /lib/systemd/myFancy.service to /lib/systemd/system/myFancy.service for it to work.

Thanks ! I was searching for a long time ! =D

I have followed the steps and created
1: /usr/bin/atul_start.sh
2: /lib/systemd/system/atul_start_sr.service
3: ln -s /lib/systemd/system/atul_start_sr.service /etc/systemd/system/atul_start_sr.service
4: systemctl daemon-reload
systemctl enable atul_start_sr.service
systemctl start atul_start_sr.service

Observations:
1:The scripts "atul_start.sh" is working fine.
2: root@beaglebone:/usr/bin# "systemctl list-unit-files" is listing
atul_start_sr.service loaded active running My Auto Start Service

Issue: The service is not able to run the script on reboot.

Hey, do you have any idea about a script run with virtual environment.

I have a python script which uses Adafruit_BBIO.GPIO
this works fine when I start the script from the cloud9 environment.
but when I try to schedule it like above, if fails stating import error: no module named Adafruit_BBIO.GPIO as GPIO
and when running from cloud9, it works like a charm ?!?!
I also tried moving it into the autorun folder, but that does not work either

If doing this for a bash script and executable inside a user account:
Replace:
ExecStart=/usr/bin/myFancyBash.sh
With, for example:
ExecStart=/home/debian/.../myFancyBash.sh