Run simple bash script to start applications at login

Question

I want to run a simple bash script automatically when I log in. For example

#!/bin/bash
echo "start spotify"
gnome-terminal -e spotify --title spotify

When I run this command, one gnome-terminal shows up and spotify show up. I also want the gnome-terminal to popup "hidden" in a different virtual desktop. (one of the other four virtual desktops you can choose from taskbar)

I tried to add this to /home/me/.bash_login or something, but that didn't work..

Solution

Go to System → Preferences → Startup Applications, then click Add. Under Command just enter spotify, instead of the script. There's no need to start a terminal for it.

If you need the output, you can change your script:

#!/bin/bash
echo "start spotify"
spotify > /home/username/spotify.log

and set it as the command, rather than Spotify itself.

Make sure the script is executable by opening the file's properties, going to permissions and setting "Allow executing file as program".

Comments

[flo]

@Olli, that starts it every time you open a Terminal window :)

[Olli]

@Stefano: or when you login from console, or over ssh. Whenever your shell is started. That's why I said "that's not good..."

[Olli]

There might be multiple reasons for terminal. For example debug messages.

[flo]

@Olli, Thank you, I've edited my answer accordingly. This seems to me like the proper solution.

[Olli]

yes, definitely. And of course you should use ~ instead of static path, so it'll work with any user :)