Run Python script at startup in Ubuntu

Instructions

• Copy the python file to /bin:

  sudo cp -i /path/to/your_script.py /bin

• Add A New Cron Job:

  sudo crontab -e

  Scroll to the bottom and add the following line (after all the #'s):

  @reboot python /bin/your_script.py &

  The “&” at the end of the line means the command is run in the background and it won’t stop the system booting up.

• Test it:

  sudo reboot

Practical example:

• Add this file to your Desktop: test_code.py (run it to check that it works for you)

  from os.path import expanduser
  import datetime
  
  file = open(expanduser("~") + '/Desktop/HERE.txt', 'w')
  file.write("It worked!\n" + str(datetime.datetime.now()))
  file.close()
  

• Run the following commands:

  sudo cp -i ~/Desktop/test_code.py /bin

  sudo crontab -e

• Add the following line and save it:

  @reboot python /bin/test_code.py &

• Now reboot your computer and you should find a new file on your Desktop: HERE.txt