---
title: Create a Background Idle Prevention Processs
description: 
published: true
date: 2025-06-25T11:49:23.320Z
tags: 
editor: markdown
dateCreated: 2025-06-25T11:49:23.320Z
---

# Setting Up a Lightweight Keep-Alive Script on Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS

This guide describes how to create a `keep_alive.sh` script to prevent a headless Ubuntu Server from being considered idle and how to configure it as a systemd service for persistence.

## Creating the Keep-Alive Script

1. **Create the Script**:
   Open a terminal and create the script file:
   ```bash
   nano /usr/local/bin/keep_alive.sh
   ```
   Add the following content:
   ```bash
   #!/bin/bash
   while true; do
       echo "Keep alive" > /dev/null
       sleep 60
   done
   ```
   Save and exit by pressing `Ctrl+O`, `Enter`, then `Ctrl+X`.

2. **Make the Script Executable**:
   Set execute permissions for the script:
   ```bash
   chmod +x /usr/local/bin/keep_alive.sh
   ```

3. **Run the Script in the Background**:
   Start the script in the background, ensuring it persists after logout:
   ```bash
   nohup /usr/local/bin/keep_alive.sh &
   ```

## Configuring the Script as a Systemd Service

To ensure the script runs automatically on boot and is managed by the system, configure it as a systemd service.

1. **Create the Systemd Service File**:
   Create a service file:
   ```bash
   sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/keep-alive.service
   ```
   Add the following content:
   ```ini
   [Unit]
   Description=Keep Alive Script to Prevent Idle
   After=network.target

   [Service]
   ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/keep_alive.sh
   Restart=always

   [Install]
   WantedBy=multi-user.target
   ```
   Save and exit (`Ctrl+O`, `Enter`, `Ctrl+X`).

2. **Enable and Start the Service**:
   Enable the service to start on boot and run it immediately:
   ```bash
   sudo systemctl enable keep-alive.service
   sudo systemctl start keep-alive.service
   ```

3. **Verify the Service Status**:
   Check that the service is running:
   ```bash
   systemctl status keep-alive.service
   ```

## Notes
- **Resource Usage**: The script uses near 0% CPU and minimal memory (a few KB).
- **Interval Adjustment**: Modify the `sleep 60` value in the script to change the interval (e.g., `sleep 30` for 30 seconds).
- **Monitoring**: Confirm the script is running with `ps aux | grep keep_alive`.