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NethServer 8

Systemd units

A module should have at least one Systemd unit to keep the service running. The Systemd unit should:

  • enable the service on boot
  • start and stop podman processes
  • ensure restart at least on failure

The Systemd unit can:

  • change the working directory to ease finding additional files: WorkingDirectory=%S/state
  • execute ancillary commands in Exec* steps with the runagent helper: ExecStartPre=/usr/local/bin/runagent expand-templates
  • import and use additional environment variables: EnvironmentFile=%S/state/environment

When EnvironmentFile=%S/state/environment is used in Systemd service units, remember that the file syntax is not designed to be compatible with Systemd. Values are stored as raw values, i.e. special characters are not escaped or quoted:

  1. Limit the use of this technique to variables with controlled values, e.g. IMAGE_URL.
  2. Avoid storing and reading arbitrary strings, like randomly generated tokens, and values coming from the user’s input.

See Dokuwiki unit as an example.