---
name: "rc-service"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "openrc"
version: "0.56-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/rc-service"
---

# rc-service(8)

locate and run an OpenRC service with the given arguments

## NAME

**rc-service** – locate and run an OpenRC service with the given arguments

## SYNOPSIS

**rc-service** \[**-c**, **--ifcrashed**\] *service* *cmd* \[*...*\]

**rc-service** **-d**, **--debug** *service* *cmd* \[*...*\]

**rc-service** **-D**, **--nodeps** *service* *cmd* \[*...*\]

**rc-service** \[**-i**, **--ifexists**\] *service* *cmd* \[*...*\]

**rc-service** \[**-I**, **--ifinactive**\] *service* *cmd* \[*...*\]

**rc-service** \[**-N**, **--ifnotstarted**\] *service* *cmd* \[*...*\]

**rc-service** \[**-s**, **--ifstarted**\] *service* *cmd* \[*...*\]

**rc-service** \[**-S**, **--ifstopped**\] *service* *cmd* \[*...*\]

**rc-service** **-e**, **--exists** *service*

**rc-service** **-Z**, **--dry-run** *service* *cmd* \[*...*\]

**rc-service** **-l**, **--list**

**rc-service** **-r**, **--resolve** *service*

## DESCRIPTION

Service scripts could be in different places on different systems. **rc-service** locates the specified service and runs it with the given arguments. If **-i**, **--ifexists** is given then **rc-service** returns 0 even if the service does not exist. If **-I**, **--ifinactive** or **-N**, **--ifnotstarted** is given then **rc-service** returns 0 if the service exists but is in the wrong state.

If given the **-l**, **--list** argument then **rc-service** will list all available services.

**-e**, **--exists** return 0 if it can find *service*, otherwise -1. **-r**, **--resolve** does the same and also prints the full path of the service to stdout.

**-d**, **--debug** sets -x when running the service script(s).

**-D**, **--nodeps** ignores dependencies when running the service.

**-Z**, **--dry-run** displays commands rather than executing them.

## SEE ALSO

[openrc(8)](/openrc/8.md), [stdout(3)](/stdout/3.md)

## AUTHORS

Roy Marples \<roy@marples.name\>