---
title: systemd-run — Run a transient systemd unit
date: 2026-10-20
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: Runs a command as a transient systemd service or timer with journal logging and resource control.
tags: program, Service and process management, systemd-run
---

Runs a command as a transient systemd service or timer with journal logging and resource control.

## Basic Information

| Command Name | systemd-run |
| --- | --- |
| One-line Introduction | Runs a command as a transient systemd service or timer with journal logging and resource control. |
| Provided by | systemd |
| Official Documentation | https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/systemd-run.html |
| Supported Operating Systems | Linux (systemd-based distributions) |
| Installation Status | Installed by default with systemd |
| Category | Linux service and process management (tags: Process and resource management (tags: systemd, service, timer, resource control)) |

## What is this command?

systemd-run executes a command under systemd without writing a unit file.

Output goes to the journal and systemd features such as CPU or memory limits and timers apply directly.

## What problems does it solve?

- Keep one-off job output in the journal.
- Run with CPU or memory limits.
- Schedule a single future run.
- Run detached from the login session.
## Key features

### Transient service

Starts the command as a background service and returns immediately.

- **When to use**: When the job must outlive the session
- **What you get**: A transient unit managed by systemd
- **Limitations**: The unit name is needed to check status
### Resource limits

Set properties to cap CPU or memory use.

- **When to use**: When a job must not monopolize the host
- **What you get**: Execution under the given limits
- **Limitations**: Requires kernel cgroup support
### Timer scheduling

Use --on-calendar and related options to schedule the run.

- **When to use**: One-off or recurring schedules
- **What you get**: A scheduled timer unit
- **Limitations**: Timer state must be checked separately
## Installation and usage

### Check whether it is installed

```
systemd-run --version
```

systemctl --version   # systemd must be PID 1

## Real-world examples

### Transient service

Run as a background service.

```
# Run a command as a transient service
systemd-run --unit=myjob /usr/local/bin/task.sh
```

### With limits

Limit CPU and memory.

```
# Cap memory and CPU share
systemd-run -p MemoryMax=512M -p CPUQuota=50% /usr/local/bin/task.sh
```

### Scheduled run

Run once tomorrow at 03:00.

```
# Schedule a single run
systemd-run --on-calendar='*-*-* 03:00:00' /usr/local/bin/task.sh
```

---
Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/linux/services/systemd-run.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.