2/12/2026
This is the step-by-step procedure to auto start a program during boot up:
This document must be used with the associated video on YouTube:
YouTube channel:  Making Stuff With Chris DeHut
Additional information can be found at:
MakingStuffWithChrisDeHut.com

This was developed and tested on a Raspberry Pi 3b
with a fresh install of the OS around 2/2026
The OS version is TRIXIE which uses wayland and labwc

The program I auto started is a python program that would run
in python 3.  The program also has a graphical user interface
and runs on the full desktop install of the OS.

YOU WILL NEED TO MODIFY PATHS & FILENAMES TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS!

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VERIFY OS NAME
>>>cat /etc/os-release

PRETTY_NAME="Debian GNU/Linux 13 (trixie)"
NAME="Debian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="13"
VERSION="13 (trixie)"
VERSION_CODENAME=trixie
DEBIAN_VERSION_FULL=13.3
ID=debian
HOME_URL="https://www.debian.org/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://www.debian.org/support"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.debian.org/"
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DETERMINE IF WAYLAND USES WAYFIRE or X11
>>>echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE

wayland
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DETERMIN IF LABWC (window manager) IS RUNNING
>>>grep ^user-session /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf

user-session=rpd-labwc

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IF RESPONSES ARE CORRECT FOR ALL THREE
WE HAVE VERIFIED THE WAY THE OS IS CONFIGURED AND
THIS PROCESS SHOULD WORK FOR AUTOSTARTING PROGRAMS!!!
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NOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONFIGURATION TO 
AUTOSTART A PROGRAM

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RIGHT CLICK on the desktop and select CREATE NEW FILE
It will prompt to enter a filename ENTER: launcher.sh
It will create the file and place it on the desktop
We will open that file and edit it.
RIGHT CLICK on the file and select TEXT EDITOR
Now enter the following lines of code EXACTLY!

#! /bin/bash
sleep 8
export WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-0
export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/$(id -u)
cd /home/landcam/Desktop/LandCamera/
/usr/bin/python3 LandCam2026.py

VERIFY IT IS CORRECT!!!! THEN SAVE THE FILE
VERIFY YOU HAVE THE PATHS and FILENAMES CORRECT FOR YOUR PROGRAM!!!!
You can close the editor
---------------------------------------------
Now we have two more steps to do.
1) We need to set the permissions for EXECUTABLE
RIGHT CLICK on the file
Select PROPERTIES
Select the PERMISSIONS tab
Set the EXECUTE value to ANYONE (or other depending on your security)
Click OK
2) We need to move that file into the proper directory
Open file manager
Drag the launcher.sh file into your directory (usually home/pi)
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LET'S TEST THIS WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR

DOUBLE CLICK on the LAUNCHER.SH file to execute it.
If it opens in the editor - you need to set the permisions ! ! !
If you are presented with  dialog about EXECUTING the program,
    select EXECUTE
If it runs the program, you are half way there!!!!
If not, LOOK FOR MISTAKES IN PATH NAME, FILENAME, SPACES, ETC.
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NOW WE CAN MOVE ONTO THE FINAL PHASE WHICH IS WHAT ACTUALLY
CAUSES THE PROGRAM TO AUTOSTART ON BOOT OR POWER UP.  


RIGHT CLICK on the desktop and select CREATE NEW FILE
It will prompt to enter a filename ENTER: autostart
It will create the file and place it on the desktop
We will open that file and edit it.
RIGHT CLICK on the file and select TEXT EDITOR
Now enter the following line of code EXACTLY!

/home/landcam/launcher.sh &

VERIFY IT IS CORRECT!!!! THEN SAVE THE FILE
VERIFY YOU HAVE THE PATHS and FILENAMES CORRECT FOR YOUR PROGRAM!!!!
You can close the editor
---------------------------------------------

SET THE PERMISSIONS FOR EXECUTION
1) We need to set the permissions for EXECUTABLE
RIGHT CLICK on the file
Select PROPERTIES
Select the PERMISSIONS tab
Set the EXECUTE value to ANYONE (or other depending on your security)
Click OK
---------------------------------------------

THIS NEXT PART IS A LITTLE STRANGE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO WORK AROUND
THE PERMISSIONS THAT WILL PREVENT YOU FROM MOVING THAT FILE INTO
THE PROPER DIRECTORY.

WE WILL START FILE MANAGER USING SUDO RIGHTS. TO DO THAT. . .
Open a command prompt

Enter the following commnd:  sudo pcmanfm

File manager will open, but now with SUDO permissions so that we can 
move the file into a system directory.

From the menu item VIEW select SHOW HIDDEN FILES

Open the config folder by double clicking on it

open the labwc folder by double clicking on it

Drag your autostart file into that directory

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You are finished with the configuration, reboot your pi and your program should autostart!