This is a text-only version of the following page on https://raymii.org:
---
Title : Run software on the tty1 console instead of getty login on Ubuntu 14.04 and 16.04
Author : Remy van Elst
Date : 10-04-2017
URL : https://raymii.org/s/tutorials/Run_software_on_tty1_console_instead_of_login_getty.html
Format : Markdown/HTML
---
Recently I wanted to change the default login prompt on the `tty1` console on an
OpenStack instance to automatically run `htop`. Instead of logging in via the
console, I wanted it to start up `htop` right away and nothing else. Ubuntu
14.04 uses `init` and Ubuntu 16.04 uses systemd. Both ways are shown in this
tutorial.
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Here's what the default login prompt on the console looks:
![][2]
And here is the result, `htop` running without ever logging in:
![][3]
Do note that you loose the ability to login via the regular console this way.
`ssh` is your only means of access. Do note that the software is run as root. If
you for example want to run `vim` you also can escape to a shell. `htop` as far
as I know doesn't allow command execution.
On Ubuntu 14.04, edit the following file:
vim /etc/init/tty1.conf
Replace:
exec /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty1
with:
exec /usr/bin/htop /dev/tty1 2>&1
Use full paths and make sure output and input are redirected (` /dev/tty1 2>&1`).
On Ubuntu 16.04 stuff changes due to `systemd`. No longer can you use output
redirection, this is now all handled via `systemd`. Create an override folder
for the `getty@tty1` service first:
mkdir /etc/systemd/system/getty@tty1.service.d/
Edit the override file:
vim /etc/systemd/system/getty@tty1.service.d/override.conf
Place the following:
[Service]
ExecStart=
ExecStart=-/usr/bin/htop
StandardInput=tty
StandardOutput=tty
Now reload the unit files and restart the service. `htop` should appear on your
prompt:
systemctl daemon-reload; systemctl restart getty@tty1.service
Or just do a `reboot`.
As a bonus, you can also install `hollywood`:
apt-get install tmux hollywood # fill your console with Hollywood melodrama technobabble
and set that up to autorun on the console. Use the following in the `systemd`
file otherwise `byobu` will complain about wrong permissions on your homefolder:
/usr/bin/sudo -H /usr/bin/hollywood
Much fun:
![][4]
[1]: https://www.digitalocean.com/?refcode=7435ae6b8212
[2]: https://raymii.org/s/inc/img/console1.png
[3]: https://raymii.org/s/inc/img/console2.png
[4]: https://raymii.org/s/inc/img/console3.png
---
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