Automatic login to virtual console

This article describes how to automatically log in to a virtual console at the end of the boot process. This article only covers console log-ins; methods for starting an X server are described in Start X at Boot.

With inittab

Using agetty

This is the preferred (i.e. clean) method. Edit /etc/inittab like this:

/etc/inittab

c1:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -a USERNAME -8 -s 38400 tty1 linux
c2:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty2 linux
c3:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty3 linux
c4:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty4 linux
c5:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty5 linux
c6:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty6 linux

to automatically log in USERNAME to the first console (tty1).

Using mingetty

Note: Although a mingetty derivative, fgetty^AUR does not support the --autologin parameter.

Alternatively, you can install the mingetty package from the official repositories. Mingetty is designed to be a minimal getty and allows automatic log-ins:

/etc/inittab

c1:2345:respawn:/sbin/mingetty --autologin USERNAME tty1 linux
c2:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty2 linux
c3:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty3 linux
c4:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty4 linux
c5:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty5 linux
c6:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty6 linux

Using the above methods, you will get a relog loop when trying to log out. If you wish to only login at boot, use the following:

Note: You will not be able to access any other virtual consoles until after logging out.

/etc/inittab

a1:2345:wait:/sbin/mingetty --autologin USERNAME tty1 linux
c1:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty1 linux
c2:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty2 linux
c3:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty3 linux
c4:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty4 linux
c5:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty5 linux
c6:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty6 linux

Using a C login program

As an alternative, a C login program can be written:

autologin.c

#include <unistd.h>

int main(void) {
   execlp("login", "login", "-f", "USERNAME", NULL);
}

Here, the C function execlp executes the command login -f USERNAME.

The program must be compiled and copied to an appropriate location:

$ gcc -o autologin autologin.c
# cp autologin /usr/local/sbin/

Finally, tell /etc/inittab to use it:

/etc/inittab

c1:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -n -l /usr/local/sbin/autologin -s 38400 tty1 linux
c2:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty2 linux
c3:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty3 linux
c4:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty4 linux
c5:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty5 linux
c6:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty6 linux

With systemd

Create a new service file similar to getty@.service by copying it to /etc/systemd/system/:

# cp /usr/lib/systemd/system/getty@.service /etc/systemd/system/autologin@.service

Note: /etc/systemd/system/ takes precedence over /usr/lib/systemd/system/

Once created you can link the new autologin@.service to your chosen "target" tty, e.g. tty1, tty2, [...] tty8, etc:

# ln -s /etc/systemd/system/autologin@.service /etc/systemd/system/getty.target.wants/getty@tty1.service

Next, change the value of ExecStart in autologin@.service like this:

/etc/systemd/system/autologin@.service

[Service]
[...]
ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty -a USERNAME %I 38400
[...]

For security reasons you may also want to change Restart=always to Restart=no.

Finally you should reload the daemons and start the service:

# systemctl daemon-reload
# systemctl start getty@tty1.service