How can I run script when I start up my Linux machine?

Question

I would like to run the python script, when I startup the Linux machine. How can I do so? I don't need the user to login the OS to start the script. (The user is password protected.)

Answer 1

Generic method – add the script to /etc/rc.local:

/usr/bin/python pythonscript.py

if your python interpreter is under /usr/bin, or simply

/path/to/pythonscript.py

if your script is marked executable (+x).

Note that some systems use /etc/rc.d/rc.local instead.

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On systemd systems, rc.local might be ignored completely.

Create a service unit, /etc/systemd/system/something.service:

[Unit]
Description=Script name

[Service]
ExecStart=/path/to/script.py

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Tell systemd to start the script on boot with systemctl enable something.service.