---
name: "herd"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "shepherd"
version: "1.0.3-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/herd"
---

# herd(1)

Control the shepherd(1) service manager

## NAME

herd - Control the [shepherd(1)](/shepherd/1.md) service manager

## DESCRIPTION

herd \[OPTIONS...\] ACTION SERVICE \[ARG...\] Apply ACTION (start, stop, status, etc.) on SERVICE with the ARGs.

- **--group**=*GROUP*

  run the given program as GROUP

- **--user**=*USER*

  run the given program as USER

- **-E**, **--environment-variable**=*ENVIRONMENT*

  pass the environment variable specified by ENVIRONMENT

- **-d**, **--working-directory**=*DIRECTORY*

  run service from DIRECTORY (for transient services)

- **--log-file**=*FILE*

  log service output to FILE

- **-N**, **--service-name**=*NAME*

  register new service under NAME

- **-n**, **--log-history**=*NUMBER*

  display up to NUMBER service log lines

- **-s**, **--socket**=*FILE*

  send commands to FILE

- **--help**

  display this help and exit

- **--usage**

  display short usage message and exit

- **--version**

  display version information and exit

Mandatory or optional arguments to long options are also mandatory or optional to the corresponding short options.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to: bug-guix@gnu.org .\
 GNU Shepherd general home page: \<https://www.gnu.org/software/shepherd/\>\
 General help using GNU software: \<https://www.gnu.org/gethelp/\>

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2025 the Shepherd authors License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later \<http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html\>\
 This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

## SEE ALSO

The full documentation for **herd** is maintained as a Texinfo manual.  If the **info** and **herd** programs are properly installed at your site, the command

-

  **info shepherd**

should give you access to the complete manual.