How To Launch GUI App With Upstart Script

Question

I have a python gtk app I need to run when a user logs in. I can't get upstart to launch any gui app, even if x is running.

When I'm signed into X, and I emit the event from the upstart script below

guitest

with initctl, I get

initctl: Event failed

Here is an example of my script, except I've replaced gedit with my app. How can I modify this script so gedit or my python gtk app will launch?

task

start on desktop-session-start  or guitest

script
    gedit
end script

Answer 1

Upstart is primarily for managing system services. If you want to run an application as part of the user session, there are better tools.

Via the GUI

You can configure a startup application in a user's session by picking Startup Applications... from the cog menu in the top right of the screen, and then pick Add and fill in the details for gedit.

When you log in next time, the application should start with the session.

Manually

If you can't use the UI to configure this, it is possible to configure it by dropping a .desktop file in one of the autostart directories according to the Autostart specification:

http://standards.freedesktop.org/autostart-spec/autostart-spec-latest.html

If you want it to affect every user on the system, place the file in /etc/xdg/autostart. If you only want to affect a single user, place the file in ~/.config/autostart.

The .desktop file should look something like:

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Exec=/usr/bin/gedit
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
Name=GEdit
Comment=

If you place the file in the user's home directory, make sure you set the execute bit on the file. This is part of a security measure to stop programs unintentionally writing working .desktop files due to bugs.

Answer 2

I've found a workaround. If anyone else know 'the right way', please let me know.

The upstart script needs to write a flag file. Another process that is started by the user will be constantly looking for this flag file to be created. The upstart script can leave any relevant information in the flag file. A regular user of course or root has not problem running gui apps. Why upstart does have a problem, remains to be answered.