Run a Python script at startup boot using systemd

When using a Raspberry Pi, running a script during startup is something we often want to do. The process isn't terribly difficult, but it does takes a few steps. Follow this instructions for getting it done!

• Create a file using your favorite text editor (in my case, I'll use Vim):

sudo vi /etc/systemd/user/my_script.service

• Add the following contents to it. Note to change the name/location of your script and log file. Also, if you're using Python 3 change it accordingly (i.e., /usr/bin/python3 ...):

[Unit]
Description=My Python Script
After=default.target

[Service]
Type=simple
ExecStart=/usr/bin/python /home/pi/scripts/my_script.py > /home/pi/my_script.log 2>&1

[Install]
WantedBy=default.target

• Reload the daemon using sudo:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload

• Whereas you can enable the service for the root user, your modules and other things are likely available to the user (e.g., pi) so the script might fail. Luckily, you can add the --user option and remove the sudo command so that the script runs as if executed by the user:

systemctl --user enable my_script.service

• Running it now to see if it works:

systemctl --user start my_script.service

• Check to see that everything looks good:

systemctl status --user my_script.service

• Troubleshoot anything that you need, and then reboot the system:

sudo reboot

You're good to go and the script will run right at startup. HTH!