systemctl is the main command-line utility for inspecting and controlling the systemd system and service manager.
It can query unit state and perform operations such as starting, stopping, restarting, reloading, enabling, disabling, masking and unmasking units. It works with services as well as sockets, timers, mounts, targets and other systemd unit types.
systemctl can operate on the system manager or a user’s service manager and provides extensive filtering and inspection facilities.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- List systemd units and inspect their state.
- Display detailed status information for units.
- Start, stop, restart and reload units.
- Enable and disable units.
- Mask and unmask units.
- List installed unit files and their enablement state.
- View and edit unit files and drop-in configuration.
- Reload the systemd manager configuration.
- List and inspect unit dependencies.
- Filter units by type and state.
- Work with system and user service managers.
- Handle services, sockets, timers, mounts, targets and other unit types.
- Switch or isolate systemd targets.
- Operate on remote hosts and containers.
- Control system actions including reboot, power off and suspend.
Website: systemd.io
Support:
Developer: Lennart Poettering, Kay Sievers, and contributors
License: GNU Lesser General Public License v2.1

systemctl is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| systemd CLI/TUI Configuration Tools | |
|---|---|
| systemd-analyse | Helps uncover performance problems |
| systemctl-tui | Interact with systemd services |
| systemctl | Manage and monitor the systemd system |
| isd | Interactive systemd |
| Systemd manager tui | Manage systemd services |
| ServiceMaster | Powerful terminal-based tool for managing systemd units |
| lsu | View systemd service units |
| systemd_commander | Manage systemd services and browse journal logs with an ncurses TUI |
| sdtop | systemd TUI Manager |
| sdctl | Security-focused manager with polkit authentication and log browsing |
| chkservice | Terminal-based tool for managing systemd units |
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