Simplicity
runit is known for its straightforward and simple design, making it easy to install, configure, and use.
Fast Boot Times
Due to its lightweight nature, runit can significantly speed up system boot times compared to more complex init systems.
Service Supervision
runit provides excellent service supervision capabilities, ensuring reliable and automatic restarting of services in case of failure.
Compatibility
runit is compatible with UNIX-like operating systems and can serve as a drop-in replacement for other init systems.
Modular Design
runit follows a modular approach, separating the init and supervision stages, which provides flexibility and robustness in managing services.
We have collected here some useful links to help you find out if runit is good.
Check the traffic stats of runit on SimilarWeb. The key metrics to look for are: monthly visits, average visit duration, pages per visit, and traffic by country. Moreoever, check the traffic sources. For example "Direct" traffic is a good sign.
Check the "Domain Rating" of runit on Ahrefs. The domain rating is a measure of the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It shows the strength of runit's backlink profile compared to the other websites. In most cases a domain rating of 60+ is considered good and 70+ is considered very good.
Check the "Domain Authority" of runit on MOZ. A website's domain authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). It is based on a 100-point logarithmic scale, with higher scores corresponding to a greater likelihood of ranking. This is another useful metric to check if a website is good.
The latest comments about runit on Reddit. This can help you find out how popualr the product is and what people think about it.
If all you need is init (and not a process supervisor), docker comes with one called 'tini' built in. All you have to do is supply `--init` to the `docker run` command. As far as a different process supervisor, I'm not sure. I've used supervisord and agree it's kind of awkward. I have heard of these but don't know much about them: https://smarden.org/runit/ https://github.com/nicolas-van/multirun... - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
We've all done it. (-: For some while I read people saying that, despite the existence of Paul Jarc showing how svscan as process 1 would actually work and Gerrit Pape leading the way with runit-init and demonstrating the basic idea, one could not do full system management with daemontools and wholly eliminate van Smoorenberg init and rc. * https://code.dogmap.org/svscan-1/ * https://smarden.org/runit/ It was one... - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
Not so much about timeouts, but related in that it is based around managing children processes: The lineage of tools descending from daemontools for service management is worth exploring: daemontools: http://cr.yp.to/daemontools.html runit: https://smarden.org/runit/ s6: https://skarnet.org/software/s6/ dinit: https://davmac.org/projects/dinit/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
I personally am a fan of runit https://smarden.org/runit/ But s6 is excellent as well. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
How does it compare to Runit[[0] used by Void Linux? [0]http://smarden.org/runit/. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
Still, I can try to give you a rundown of Runit. Essentially, it's an init system that uses init scripts, but it has a bit more structure to improve on the shortcomings of sysvinit. Much like systemd, it also does service management, although in a much less involved way. Like with sysvinit, the task of logging is left to a separate process, though it has its own logging daemon, if you wish to use it (as logging... Source: over 3 years ago
PID 1 is special. It's the init. Instead of System V init, you can use OpenRC, runit, systemd, s6, or others. Source: over 4 years ago
Of course the original creator's document is great too: runit - a UNIX init scheme with service supervision. Source: about 5 years ago
I learned about it here. http://smarden.org/runit/ It is not long read. Source: about 5 years ago
Then there's the init and service supervision system which is simple and great. I've used systemd professionally for years now and there are still things I don't understand about it. Void uses runit which I'd only used on some embedded systems before but knew from that experience was dead simple and relaiable with no nonsense. It's the reason I decided to try Void in the first place. Source: about 5 years ago
Because the only requirement imposed by the Linux kernel on the init process is that it has to exist, there are many different ways to implement it. One of the usual roles filled by the init system is to launch and monitor background processes (called daemons). In the beginning, there was the Research Unix init system that simply ran a single script that started up all the other processes, then in came System V... Source: over 5 years ago
Runit, accessible at smarden.org, is a Unix initialization system renowned for its simplicity, reliability, and straightforward approach to service management. While it coexists with powerful competitors like Systemd, Sysvinit, and s6, Runit carves out its place by focusing on minimalist design principles, often appealing to users seeking efficient yet uncomplicated solutions for process supervision.
Runitโs primary advantage lies in its lightweight, uncomplicated structure. Its design philosophy emphasizes the separation of concerns, allowing logging and service management to operate independently. This modular nature provides users with the flexibility to use Runit's logging daemon or alternatively, integrate other logging processes suited to their needs.
Many users appreciate how Runit adheres to the Unix principle of "doing one thing well." Its three-stage boot process and simplicity in design circumvent the complexities often associated with larger, feature-rich systems like Systemd. This makes it an attractive option for environments where resource efficiency and ease of understanding are prioritized, such as in embedded systems or resource-constrained servers.
In contrast to Systemd, which is feature-rich and deeply embedded within operating systems like many modern Linux distributions, Runit stands out for being less invasive. Systemdโs intricate architecture, while powerful, often results in a steeper learning curve and operational overhead, which some users find cumbersome. Conversely, Runit is appreciated for its clarity and user-friendliness, offering a straightforward solution without the multiple layers of abstraction present in Systemd.
Though Runit is similar to Sysvinit in its basic function as an init system, Runit provides improved service management and supervision, addressing deficiencies in Sysvinit by avoiding startup scripts' complexity and providing a more structured service management approach. Runitโs modular approach appeals to users who prefer Unix-like simplicity over the comprehensive service management of Systemd or the structured dependency management of OpenRC.
Among users, there is a noted appreciation for its predictability and reliability. As testified by Void Linux users, Runitโs integration into distributions like Void demonstrates its effectiveness in modern Unix environments, offering a robust alternative to proprietary or complex open-source solutions.
The community feedback exhibits a general fondness for Runit. It is commonly praised for being "dead simple" and "no-nonsense," traits that are highlighted by experienced users when considering alternatives to Systemd's complexity. For some, Runit represents a steady, less intrusive companion in managing processes across various environments, which is especially valued by those who have experienced the intricacies and sometimes opaque nature of systems like Systemd.
In summary, Runit is seen as an approachable, efficient system for users seeking performance without frills, making it a well-regarded tool in environments where simplicity is paramount. Its place alongside other Unix init systems is cemented by its dependable operation and ability to coalesce with modern operating systems, allowing users to engage with process supervision on their own terms.
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