Linux systemd Analyze and Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet

systemd-analyze time

# Measure firmware, loader, kernel, and userspace startup time.

systemd-analyze blame

# List units ordered by startup time.

systemd-analyze critical-chain

# Display boot dependency chain affecting startup time.

systemd-analyze plot > boot.svg

# Create an SVG timeline of boot.

systemd-analyze verify /etc/systemd/system/myapp.service

# Validate unit syntax and references.

systemd-analyze security nginx.service

# Show hardening score and suggestions.

systemctl show myapp -p ExecStart

# Inspect the ExecStart setting.

systemctl show myapp -p Environment -p EnvironmentFiles

# Inspect environment-related properties.

systemctl status myapp.service

# Show last status and logs for a failed unit.

journalctl -u myapp.service -b

# Show one service's logs for the current boot.

journalctl -u myapp.service -b -1

# Inspect service logs from the last boot.

systemctl show myapp -p Restart -p RestartSec -p StartLimitIntervalUSec -p StartLimitBurst

# Inspect restart and rate limit settings.

sudo systemctl edit myapp

# Open editor for safe unit overrides.

sudo systemctl revert myapp

# Revert a unit to vendor/default state.