pgrep, pkill − look up or signal processes based on name and other attributes
pgrep [options] pattern
pkill [options] pattern
pgrep looks through the currently running processes and lists the process IDs which match the selection criteria to stdout. All the criteria have to match. For example,
$ pgrep −u root sshd
will only list the processes called sshd AND owned by root. On the other hand,
$ pgrep −u root,daemon
will list the processes owned by root OR daemon.
pkill will send the specified signal (by default SIGTERM) to each process instead of listing them on stdout.
−signal
−−signal signal
Defines the signal to send to each matched process. Either the numeric or the symbolic signal name can be used. (pkill only.)
−c, −−count
Suppress normal output; instead print a count of matching processes. When count does not match anything, e.g. returns zero, the command will return non-zero value.
−d, −−delimiter delimiter
Sets the string used to delimit each process ID in the output (by default a newline). (pgrep only.)
−f, −−full
The pattern is normally only matched against the process name. When −f is set, the full command line is used.
−g, −−pgroup pgrp,...
Only match processes in the process group IDs listed. Process group 0 is translated into pgrep’s or pkill’s own process group.
−G, −−group gid,...
Only match processes whose real group ID is listed. Either the numerical or symbolical value may be used.
−i, −−ignore−case
Match processes case-insensitively.
−l, −−list−name
List the process name as well as the process ID. (pgrep only.)
−a, −−list−full
List the full command line as well as the process ID. (pgrep only.)
−n, −−newest
Select only the newest (most recently started) of the matching processes.
−o, −−oldest
Select only the oldest (least recently started) of the matching processes.
−P, −−parent ppid,...
Only match processes whose parent process ID is listed.
−s, −−session sid,...
Only match processes whose process session ID is listed. Session ID 0 is translated into pgrep’s or pkill’s own session ID.
−t, −−terminal term,...
Only match processes whose controlling terminal is listed. The terminal name should be specified without the "/dev/" prefix.
−u, −−euid euid,...
Only match processes whose effective user ID is listed. Either the numerical or symbolical value may be used.
−U, −−uid uid,...
Only match processes whose real user ID is listed. Either the numerical or symbolical value may be used.
−v, −−inverse
Negates the matching. This option is usually used in pgrep’s context. In pkill’s context the short option is disabled to avoid accidental usage of the option.
−w, −−lightweight
Shows all thread ids instead of pids in pgrep’s context. In pkill’s context this option is disabled.
−x, −−exact
Only match processes whose names (or command line if −f is specified) exactly match the pattern.
−F, −−pidfile file
Read PID’s from file. This option is perhaps more useful for pkill than pgrep.
−L, −−logpidfile
Fail if pidfile (see -F) not locked.
−−ns pid
Match processes that belong to the same namespaces. Required to run as root to match processes from other users. See −−nslist for how to limit which namespaces to match.
−−nslist name,...
Match only the provided namespaces. Available namespaces: ipc, mnt, net, pid, user,uts.
−V, −−version
Display version information and exit.
−h, −−help
Display help and exit.
pattern
Specifies an Extended Regular Expression for matching against the process names or command lines.
Example 1: Find the process ID of the named daemon:
$ pgrep −u root named
Example 2: Make syslog reread its configuration file:
$ pkill −HUP syslogd
Example 3: Give detailed information on all xterm processes:
$ ps −fp $(pgrep −d, −x xterm)
Example 4: Make all netscape processes run nicer:
$ renice +4 $(pgrep netscape)
0 |
One or more processes matched the criteria. |
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1 |
No processes matched. |
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2 |
Syntax error in the command line. |
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3 |
Fatal error: out of memory etc. |
The process name used for matching is limited to the 15 characters present in the output of /proc/pid/stat. Use the −f option to match against the complete command line, /proc/pid/cmdline.
The running pgrep or pkill process will never report itself as a match.
The options −n and −o and −v can not be combined. Let me know if you need to do this.
Defunct processes are reported.
ps(1), regex(7), signal(7), killall(1), skill(1), kill(1), kill(2)
Please send bug reports to procps