runit
What it is
runit is a free Unix init scheme and service supervisor for GNU/Linux, *BSD, MacOSX, Solaris, and other adaptable Unix systems. It can replace sysvinit or operate alongside an existing init arrangement. As process 1, runit divides booting, normal operation, and shutdown into three stages. Its runsv component starts each service program and restarts it when that program exits, with optional finish and logging services. The sv utility reports status and can start, stop, restart, pause, or signal supervised services. svlogd filters incoming log data and writes automatically rotated logs. chpst changes process state and applies limits for memory, open files, process count, output size, core size, and CPU time. runsvdir can monitor up to 1,000 service directories. Source installation instructions include manual installation without root access.
For and against
For
- Free plan with no commercial limits stated
- Runs across Linux, BSD, MacOSX, and Solaris
- Restarts services when their run program exits
- Supports status and service-control commands
- Monitors up to 1,000 service directories
Against
- UDP logging is documented as unreliable
- Installation requires compiling and installing from source
- No free trial is offered
The verdict
runit combines init duties with supervised service recovery, controls, logging, and resource limits. Its broad Unix support and option to work beside an existing init make it adaptable for administrators comfortable with source installation.
Who it suits
runit suits Unix administrators who need service supervision, init management, logging, and process limits. It also fits systems where supervision should run beside the current init scheme.
Plans and prices
runit
No commercial limits stated
Read 2 Oct 2026 · smarden.org
On the record
- Automatic discovery
- A symlink from /service to a service directory makes runit discover and start that service, typically within five seconds.smarden.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Boot lifecycle
- As process 1, runit handles booting, normal operation and shutdown in three stages.smarden.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Current upstream version
- The official install page names version 2.3.1 as the downloadable release.smarden.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Debian licence record
- Debian records the upstream runit files as copyright Gerrit Pape and licensed BSD-3-Clause.sources.debian.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Dependency handling
- Many dependencies are handled because a dependent service exits until its prerequisite is available, after which runsv retries it.smarden.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Distribution availability
- The maker lists Debian, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, Ubuntu, Gentoo, Arch Linux, Void Linux and other distributions as including or packaging runit.smarden.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Distribution packaging
- Void Linux packages runit 2.3.1 with a GNU make build and BSD-3-Clause licence metadata.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The source distribution includes a doc directory and man directory, while the website links to manuals for each major command.smarden.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Explicit dependencies
- For services needing ordered startup or shutdown, administrators place sv commands in run and finish scripts.smarden.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Foreground requirement
- A supervised daemon must stay in the foreground, with the run script normally using exec to replace the shell.smarden.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent adoption
- Wikipedia lists Void Linux, antiX and Dragora as distributions using runit as their default init system.en.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent alternatives
- AlternativeTo lists runit as free and open source and shows more than ten alternatives including Dinit, OpenRC, systemd, sysvinit and s6.alternativeto.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent architecture detail
- Wikipedia says stage 2 launches runsvdir, which creates a watchdog per service and restarts daemons that die.en.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent description
- Wikipedia describes runit as a daemontools reimplementation that initializes, supervises and terminates Unix-like system processes.en.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The maker provides a source archive and instructions to compile and install runit, including manual installation without root access.smarden.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Installation method
- The official installation downloads runit-2.3.1.tar.gz, compiles it and installs the programs with package/install.smarden.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- runit is free software under a three-clause BSD-like licence.smarden.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: migration risk
- The replacement guide advises keeping an alternate boot method and restoring the former init if migration fails.smarden.org · read 15 Oct 2026
