Systemd Unit File Generator | Create Linux Service Files Online

Home ยป Systemd Unit File Generator | Create Linux Service Files Online

Configuration

Node.js
Python (Gunicorn)
Java (JAR)
Docker Container
Generic
[Unit] Section
A short human-readable description of the service.
Start after these services (space separated).
[Service] Section
Path must be absolute (start with /). The full command to start the service. Must be an absolute path.
Path must be absolute (start with /).
One per line. Format: KEY=VALUE
[Install] Section
Target to hook into (usually multi-user.target).

File Preview

service.service

Installation Command (One-liner)

# Configure service name first

About Systemd Unit File Generator

The Systemd Unit File Generator is a powerful, client-side tool designed to help system administrators, DevOps engineers, and developers create correct and optimized systemd service files. Systemd is the standard init system for most Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, RHEL, and Fedora. Writing unit files manually can be tedious and error-prone; this tool automates the process with best-practice defaults and validation.

How to Use

  1. Select a Preset: Start quickly by choosing a preset like Node.js, Python, or Docker, or stick with "Generic" for custom needs.
  2. Configure Details: Fill in the service description, the command to execute (`ExecStart`), and the user/group the service should run as.
  3. Set Policies: Adjust the restart policy (e.g., `on-failure` or `always`) to ensure your service stays online.
  4. Environment Variables: Add any necessary environment variables directly in the tool.
  5. Download & Install: Copy the generated code or download the `.service` file. Use the provided one-liner command to install and enable your new service instantly.

Tips for Production Services

  • Use Absolute Paths: Systemd requires absolute paths for executables (e.g., `/usr/bin/node` instead of just `node`). This tool validates this for you.
  • Security: Avoid running services as `root` unless absolutely necessary. Create a dedicated user (e.g., `www-data` or a custom service user) to limit privileges.
  • Restart Loops: Use `RestartSec` (defaulted to 10s in this tool) to prevent tight restart loops if your service crashes immediately on startup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I save the generated file?
Systemd service files should typically be saved in /etc/systemd/system/. The file name should end with .service, for example, myapp.service.
How do I activate the service?
After saving the file, run sudo systemctl daemon-reload to tell systemd about the new file. Then start it with sudo systemctl enable --now myapp.service.
What is the difference between 'simple' and 'forking'?
Use simple (default) if your command runs in the foreground (like most modern web apps). Use forking if your application daemonizes itself (forks to the background) on startup.
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