Stencel AcademyHow Linux Works →
Part 4 · Lesson 17 · Expert

systemd

How services start in the right order.

In this interactive Linux lesson from Stencel Academy you don't just read — you type real commands like systemctl start app, systemctl status app and watch the machine respond on a live, animated map. It is part of the free How Linux Works course.

Key takeaway: systemd starts services by resolving a dependency graph, not a fixed list.

Before this lesson

Builds on: Boot — the ignition chain.

What you'll practise

Terms you'll learn

unittargetdependencysystemctlservice

Check your understanding

How does systemd decide the order to start services?
Open the interactive lesson →