Adding a common service on Ubuntu/Debian OS

In order to add a service on boot, we are using our own CLI tool called servicectl.

It is as easy to use as this:

sudo servicectl -e <service_name>

(Make sure the service is already running first with service <service_name> start)

So for mariadb, it would be:

sudo servicectl -e mariadb

To get more information on how to use servicectl, you can always display the full help:

sudo servicectl -h
Usage:

      --enable, -e [service]         Enable a service
      --disable, -d [service]        Disable a service
      --start, -s                    Start all enabled services
      --list, -l                     List all enabled services
      --help, -h                     Display this help message

Creating and Managing Custom Services

Creating custom services allows you to run your own scripts or applications as services.

Creating a Custom SysVinit Service

source

Create the Init Script:

sudo nano /etc/init.d/myservice

Add Script Content:

#!/bin/sh
   ### BEGIN INIT INFO
   # Provides:          myservice
   # Required-Start:    $network
   # Required-Stop:     $network
   # Default-Start:     2 3 4 5
   # Default-Stop:      0 1 6
   # Short-Description: My Custom Service
   ### END INIT INFO

   case "$1" in
       start)
           echo "Starting myservice"
           /usr/local/bin/myscript.sh &
           ;;
       stop)
           echo "Stopping myservice"
           pkill -f /usr/local/bin/myscript.sh
           ;;
       *)
           echo "Usage: /etc/init.d/myservice {start|stop}"
           exit 1
           ;;
   esac
   exit 0

Make the Script Executable:

sudo chmod +x /etc/init.d/myservice

Enable the Service:

sudo update-rc.d myservice defaults

Start the Service:

sudo service myservice start

Managing Custom Services with SysVinit

• Check the status of the custom service:

sudo service myservice status

• Stop the custom service:

sudo service myservice stop

• Restart the custom service:

sudo service myservice restart

Updated on: 25/02/2025