---
name: "halrun"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "linuxcnc-uspace"
version: "1:2.9.4-2+deb13u1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/halrun"
---

# halrun(1)

manipulate the LinuxCNC HAL from the command line

## NAME

halrun - manipulate the LinuxCNC HAL from the command line

## SYNOPSIS

**halrun *-h***

**halrun \[*-I*\] \[*halcmd\_opts*\] \[*filename\[.hal\|.tcl\]*\]**

**halrun *-T* \[*halcmd\_opts*\] \[*filename\[.hal\|.tcl\]*\]**

**halrun *-U***

## DESCRIPTION

**halrun** is a convenience script used to manipulate the HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) from the command line.  When invoked, **halrun**:

    Sets up the realtime environment.\
     Executes a command interpreter (**halcmd** or **haltcl**).\
     (Optionally) runs an interactive session.\
     Tears down the realtime environment.

    If no filename is specified, an interactive session is started.\
     The session will use [**halcmd**(1)](/halcmd/1.md) unless -T is specified in\
     which case [**haltcl**(1)](/haltcl/1.md) will be used.

    If a filename is specified and neither the -I nor the -T option\
     is included, the filename will be processed by the command\
     interpreter corresponding to the filename extension (**halcmd**\
     or **haltcl**).  After processing, the realtime environment\
     will be torn down.

    If a filename is specified and the -I or -T option is included,\
     the file is processed by the appropriate command interpreter and\
     then an interactive session is started for **halcmd** or\
     **haltcl** according to the -I or -T option.

## OPTIONS

- **halcmd\_opts**

  When a .hal file is specified, the **halcmd\_opts** are passed to **halcmd**.  See the man page for [**halcmd**(1)](/halcmd/1.md). When a .tcl file is specified, the only valid options are:\
       \-i \<INI file\>\
       \-f \<filename\[.tcl\|.hal\]\>  (alternate means of specifying a file)

- **-I**

  Run an interactive **halcmd** session

- **-T**

  Run an interactive **haltcl** session.

- **-U**

  Forcibly cause the realtime environment to exit.  It releases the HAL mutex, requests that all HAL components unload, and stops the realtime system. **-U** must be the only commandline argument.

- **-h**

  display a brief help screen and exit

## BUGS

None known at this time.

## AUTHOR

Original version by John Kasunich, as part of the LinuxCNC Enhanced Machine Controller project.  Now includes major contributions by several members of the project.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to the LinuxCNC bug tracker ⟨URL: https://github.com/LinuxCNC/linuxcnc/issues ⟩.

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2003 John Kasunich.\
 This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

## SEE ALSO

[**halcmd**(1)](/halcmd/1.md), [**haltcl**(1)](/haltcl/1.md)