Linux Atlas
ENRU

Processes

pkill

Sends signals to processes matched by name or attributes.

pkill finds processes by pattern and sends a signal, avoiding manual PID lookup.

Syntax
pkill [options] pattern

Arguments explained

  • pattern matches process names by default.
  • -u filters by user.
  • -f matches the full command line.
  • -signal chooses a signal.

Common examples

Terminate a user's process by name
pkill -u alex firefox

Signals firefox processes owned by alex.

Reload matching daemons
sudo pkill -HUP nginx

Sends HUP to nginx processes.

pkill Command
FieldDetails
Commandpkill
CategoryProcesses
Primary useSends signals to processes matched by name or attributes.
Syntaxpkill [options] pattern

Related articles

kill

Sends a signal to a process.

ps

Reports current processes.

systemctl

Controls systemd services and system state.