---
name: "runcon"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "coreutils"
version: "9.7-3"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/runcon"
---

# runcon(1)

run command with specified security context

## NAME

runcon - run command with specified security context

## SYNOPSIS

**runcon** *CONTEXT COMMAND* \[*args*\]\
 **runcon** \[ *-c* \] \[*-u USER*\] \[*-r ROLE*\] \[*-t TYPE*\] \[*-l RANGE*\] *COMMAND* \[*args*\]

## DESCRIPTION

Run COMMAND with completely-specified CONTEXT, or with current or transitioned security context modified by one or more of LEVEL, ROLE, TYPE, and USER.

If none of *-c*, *-t*, *-u*, *-r*, or *-l*, is specified, the first argument is used as the complete context.  Any additional arguments after *COMMAND* are interpreted as arguments to the command.

Only carefully-chosen contexts are likely to run successfully.

Run a program in a different SELinux security context. With neither CONTEXT nor COMMAND, print the current security context.

Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.

- CONTEXT

  Complete security context

- **-c**, **--compute**

  compute process transition context before modifying

- **-t**, **--type**=*TYPE*

  type (for same role as parent)

- **-u**, **--user**=*USER*

  user identity

- **-r**, **--role**=*ROLE*

  role

- **-l**, **--range**=*RANGE*

  levelrange

- **--help**

  display this help and exit

- **--version**

  output version information and exit

### Exit status:

- 125

  if the runcon command itself fails

- 126

  if COMMAND is found but cannot be invoked

- 127

  if COMMAND cannot be found

- \-

  the exit status of COMMAND otherwise

## AUTHOR

Written by Russell Coker.

## REPORTING BUGS

GNU coreutils online help: \<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/\>\
 Report any translation bugs to \<https://translationproject.org/team/\>

## SEE ALSO

Full documentation \<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/runcon\>\
 or available locally via: info '(coreutils) runcon invocation'

Packaged by Debian (9.7-3)\
 Copyright © 2025 Free Software Foundation, Inc.\
 License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later \<https://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.