Chapter 24. Use systemd for user services
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Chapter 24. Use systemd for user services

This is how to set up a user-specific automated systemd process, i.e., a way to replace startup scripts that used to live in /etc/init.d. This process should work for any user service; this example is for Dropbox.

  1. Stop existing services

    Stop any existing Dropbox processes

  2. Create a systemd user service

    mkdir -p ~/.config/systemd/user/

    cp ~/Dropbox/Basic/new_machine/linux/config/dropbox.service ~/.config/systemd/user

    Note

    dropbox.service

    [Unit]
After=local-fs.target network.target
Description=Dropbox as a user service

[Service]
Environment=DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS=unix:path=/run/user/1000/bus
Environment=DISPLAY=:0
ExecStart=%h/.dropbox-dist/dropboxd
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=1
Type=simple

[Install]
WantedBy=default.target

    Source: archlinux forum.

  3. Test it

    systemctl --user start dropbox.service

    View the log with journalctl --user --unit=dropbox

  4. If it works, automate it.

    systemctl --user enable dropbox.service