---
title: "Systemd Automation Guide"
description: "Run automatic background update checks with a systemd timer."
---

The quick-install script sets up a systemd user timer that runs `fp-appimage-updater update` periodically in the background. The timer activates 15 minutes after boot and then every 12 hours.

Since fp-appimage-updater is designed for user-space operations, always use the `--user` flag when interacting with its systemd units — do **not** use `sudo` for user-wide installs.

## Set up the timer

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install with systemd support">
    The default installation sets up the timer automatically:

    ```bash
    curl -sL fau.fpt.icu/i | bash
    ```

    If you want to skip the timer, pass `--no-systemd`:

    ```bash
    curl -sL fau.fpt.icu/i | bash -s -- --no-systemd
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check timer status">
    Verify the timer is active:

    ```bash
    systemctl --user status fp-appimage-updater.timer
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable and start the timer manually">
    If the timer was not enabled during install, start it now:

    ```bash
    systemctl --user enable --now fp-appimage-updater.timer
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="View logs">
    Inspect recent background update runs:

    ```bash
    journalctl --user -u fp-appimage-updater.service -n 50
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## System-wide installation

To install the binary and systemd units system-wide (targeting `/usr/bin/` and `/usr/lib/systemd/system/`), run the install script with `sudo` and the `--system` flag:

```bash
curl -sL fau.fpt.icu/i | sudo bash -s -- --system
```

When installed system-wide, use `sudo` and the `--system` flag instead of `--user` for all `systemctl` commands.

<Warning>
  If your environment has an immutable filesystem (such as Fedora Silverblue or openSUSE MicroOS), the script will reject system-wide install attempts. Use the user-wide install instead.
</Warning>

## Uninstall

To remove the binary, disable the timer, and clean up all installed files:

```bash
curl -sL fau.fpt.icu/i | bash -s -- --uninstall
```
