Agent skill
systemd-service
Create and debug systemd service unit files. Use when the user says "create a service", "systemd unit", "service won't start", "enable on boot", "systemctl", or asks about running apps as services.
Stars
163
Forks
31
Install this agent skill to your Project
npx add-skill https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry/tree/main/skills/development/systemd-service-mhalder-dotfiles
SKILL.md
Systemd Service
Create and troubleshoot systemd service unit files.
Instructions
When creating:
- Understand the application requirements
- Determine service type (simple, forking, oneshot)
- Write unit file with proper dependencies
- Install and enable the service
When debugging:
- Check service status:
systemctl status <service> - Check logs:
journalctl -u <service> - Verify unit file syntax:
systemd-analyze verify - Identify and fix issues
Unit file template
ini
[Unit]
Description=My Application Service
Documentation=https://example.com/docs
After=network.target
Wants=network-online.target
[Service]
Type=simple
User=appuser
Group=appuser
WorkingDirectory=/opt/myapp
Environment=NODE_ENV=production
ExecStart=/usr/bin/node /opt/myapp/server.js
ExecReload=/bin/kill -HUP $MAINPID
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=5
StandardOutput=journal
StandardError=journal
# Security hardening
NoNewPrivileges=true
ProtectSystem=strict
ProtectHome=true
PrivateTmp=true
ReadWritePaths=/opt/myapp/data
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Service types
| Type | Use when |
|---|---|
| simple | Process stays in foreground (default) |
| forking | Process forks and parent exits (legacy daemons) |
| oneshot | Process exits after doing work (scripts) |
| notify | Process signals ready via sd_notify |
Debug commands
bash
# Status and logs
systemctl status myapp
journalctl -u myapp -f
journalctl -u myapp --since "10 min ago"
# Reload after editing unit file
systemctl daemon-reload
# Verify syntax
systemd-analyze verify /etc/systemd/system/myapp.service
# Show dependencies
systemctl list-dependencies myapp
Common issues
| Problem | Check | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Permission denied | User/Group settings | Create user, set ownership |
| Executable not found | ExecStart path | Use absolute paths |
| Fails immediately | Type setting | Match Type to app behavior |
| Doesn't start on boot | Install section | systemctl enable |
Rules
- MUST use absolute paths in ExecStart
- MUST set appropriate User/Group (never root for apps)
- MUST include restart policy for production services
- Always include security hardening directives
- Always verify syntax before enabling
- Never run application services as root
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