`systemctl` command

Start, stop, enable and check systemd services.

Processes & services
Package systemd
10 options · 10 examples

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Syntax
Common options
Examples
Guides
Related commands

Syntax

systemctl [command] [unit]

Provided by the systemd package. Run man systemctl for the full manual.

Common options

Option	What it does
`start`	Start a service now
`stop`	Stop a service
`restart`	Stop and start
`reload`	Reload config without a restart
`status`	State and recent log lines
`enable`	Start at boot (--now also starts it)
`disable`	Don't start at boot
`is-active`	Print active or inactive
`list-units --type=service`	Running services
`daemon-reload`	Re-read unit files after editing

Examples

Start a service
```
sudo systemctl start nginx
```
Stop a service
```
sudo systemctl stop nginx
```
Restart a service
```
sudo systemctl restart php8.4-fpm
```
Reload config
```
sudo systemctl reload nginx
```
Check a service
```
systemctl status mysql
```
Start now and at every boot
```
sudo systemctl enable --now docker
```
Don't start at boot
```
sudo systemctl disable apache2
```

List running services

systemctl list-units --type=service --state=running

List failed units
```
systemctl --failed
```
After editing a unit file
```
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
```

systemctl guides

How to Use Systemctl Command to Manage Systemd Services Linux Commands · Updated Apr 2025

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