---
name: "runaspcp"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "pcp"
version: "7.2.2-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/runaspcp"
---

# runaspcp(1)

execute a shell command as the user \`\`pcp''

## NAME

**runaspcp** - execute a shell command as the user \`\`pcp''

## SYNOPSIS

**$PCP\_BINADM\_DIR/runaspcp** \[**-D** *debug*\] \[**-s** *shell*\] command

## DESCRIPTION

**runaspcp** runs the single argument *command* as the user **$PCP\_USER** and group **$PCP\_GROUP** (both from */etc/pcp.conf*).

The *command* is run by [**sh**(1)](/sh/1.md) by default, else *shell* from the **-s** (or **--shell)** command line argument.

Normally **runaspcp** is used from the PCP \`\`init'' scripts that are launched as \`\`root'' but need to downgrade their privileges when running some PCP daemons as the \`\`pcp'' user.

The **-?**, **--help** option displays a usage message.

## DIAGNOSTICS

The exit status is 1 if **runaspcp** cannot change user or group, or cannot execute the shell, else the exit status of *command*.

## PCP ENVIRONMENT

Environment variables with the prefix **PCP\_** are used to parameterize the file and directory names used by PCP. On each installation, the file */etc/pcp.conf* contains the local values for these variables. The **$PCP\_CONF** variable may be used to specify an alternative configuration file, as described in [**pcp.conf**(5)](/pcp.conf/5.md).

## DEBUGGING OPTIONS

The **-D** or **--debug** option enables the output of additional diagnostics on *stderr* to help triage problems, although the information is sometimes cryptic and primarily intended to provide guidance for developers rather than for end-users. *debug* is a comma separated list of debugging options; use [**pmdbg**(1)](/pmdbg/1.md) with the **-l** option to obtain a list of the available debugging options and their meaning.

Debugging options specific to **runaspcp** are as follows:

| | |
| --- | --- |
| Option | Description |
| appl0 | verbose diagnostics |