How do I run a cronjob on a display? [duplicate]

Question

I've added the (f)cronjob

*/1 * * * * DISPLAY=:0 notify-send testing

to display a notification every minute, but it doesn't work; why not? (Using i3.)

Have you checked your environment? The $DISPLAY could be :0.0. — Ken Sharp
– Ken Sharp, Commented Feb 28, 2017 at 12:22
@KenSharp, I have. Also, the same command works if I enter it from another tty. — Toothrot
– Toothrot, Commented Feb 28, 2017 at 12:24
As what user does this cronjob run? I do believe that root is by default not allowed to use an x-session from a cronjob — Pelle
– Pelle, Commented Feb 28, 2017 at 12:38
I should add that I solved this simply by putting DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS=<...> at the top of my cron file. Works after reboot too on my system. — Toothrot
– Toothrot, Commented Feb 28, 2017 at 15:43

13dimitar · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-28 12:43:38Z

3

It doesn't work as a cronjob because crontab runs in background. You need to set the variable for it, like this:

*/1 * * * * <user> export DISPLAY=:0 && notify-send 'testing'

answered Feb 28, 2017 at 12:25

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