FAQ: How to start programs when KDE starts or stops

[Rog131]

KDE can start programs automatically (restore session):

K > System Settings >| Advanced - tab |> Session Manager

There are three options On Login:

Restore previous session
Will save all applications running on exit and restore them when they next start up.

Restore manually saved session
Allows the session to be saved at any time via "Save Session" in the K-Menu. This means the currently started application will reappear when they next start up.

Start with an empty session
Do not save anything. Will come up with an empty desktop on next start.

Note
"Restore manually saved session" enables a "Save Session" button in the K-menu near "Switch User", "Lock Screen" and "Log Out".


Starting programs when KDE starts

Place program links or scripts that you wish to run on KDE startup into ~/.kde/Autostart.

Note #1
Package: kcontrol-autostart

autostart module for KDE control center
Autostart is a KDE control center module to configure which applications start up when you login into a KDE session.

This package is not installed as default !

After installation Press Alt + F2 and type kcontrol -> KDE Components > Autostart Manager

More of the Control Center:
FAQ: Control Centre vs. System Settings
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3091157.0

Note #2
Scripts need to be executable.


Running programs when KDE shuts down:

Place program links or scripts that you wish to run on KDE shutdown into ~/.kde/shutdown.

Note
You need to make shutdown folder.


Example: cleaning Trashcan on exit.

Make folder /home/USER/.kde/shutdown/

Note
USER is your login name.

Create textfile, no_trash.sh, and put there:

#!/bin/sh

rm -rf /home/USER/.local/share/Trash/files/
rm -rf /home/USER/.local/share/Trash/info/

This will remove files and info folders. Kubuntu will create those again when you delete files.

Making no_trash.sh executable:

sudo chmod -v 755 /home/USER/.kde/shutdown/no_trash.sh

755 means that:
owner: read, write and execute permissions,
group: read and execute permissions,
others: read and execute permissions.


Sometimes "passwordless sudo for the script" is handy (Be careful !):

kubicle told (May 30, 2006, 11:18:55)
In Topic: Need some help with shell scripts.
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php?topic=5493.0


Links:
Topic: Not to 'autostart'
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3086592.0

Topic: Need some help with shell scripts.
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php?topic=5493.0

Linux permissions help
http://zzee.com/solutions/linux-permissions.shtml

Chmod help
http://zzee.com/solutions/chmod-help.shtml

Sudoers
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Sudoers

Sudoers Manual
http://www.gratisoft.us/sudo/man/sudoers.html

How to configure Sudo to run programs as a different user
http://newbiedoc.berlios.de/wiki/How...different_user

[Ronin]

Re: FAQ: How to start programs when KDE starts or stops

OK, I am new to Kubuntu, but this method seems rather clumsy for a "GUI" OS.

I am attempting to use Autostart Manager, but it doesn't show in any of the menus or in system settings.

[Snowhog]

Re: FAQ: How to start programs when KDE starts or stops

Have you installed it?

Package: kcontrol-autostart

Via Adept Manager.

[toad]

Re: FAQ: How to start programs when KDE starts or stops

Thanks for this, Rog131!

Out of interest, what sort of stuff would you put in shutdown?

[Rog131]

Re: FAQ: How to start programs when KDE starts or stops

what sort of stuff would you put in shutdown?

KDE logout/shutdown

Maybe, small privacy cleaning stuff > Privacy Cleanup 101. But, i think that, there are better ways to do things with the cron and anacron.


System shutdown

I have moved the fsck to the shutdown by using AutoFsck > Fsck on Shutdown