findandkill

Simple bash script for Linux/macOS to find and terminate processes based on a given user string.

Usage

findandkill.sh [string]

where [string] is any keyword given by the user to search for processes.

A list of processes matching [string] will be presented using ps aux, and the user will be asked to verify (y or n) that these processes are to be terminated. If y, processes matching [string] will be terminated. If n, the script will exit.

If no running processes match [string], and the user chooses y, the script will exit.

If more than one-or no-[string] arguments are given, the script will exit.

Terminating root processes

non-root users cannot kill processes belonging to root. To do so, run the script using sudo:

sudo /path/to/script/findandkill.sh [string]

Or, login as root and run the script.

Examples

$ ./findandkill.sh sleep
USER     PID   0.0  0.0  4267964    700 s001  S     1:32pm   0:00.00 sleep 3600
USER     PID   0.0  0.0  4267964    700 s001  S     1:32pm   0:00.00 sleep 3600
USER     PID   0.0  0.0  4267964    700 s001  S     1:32pm   0:00.00 sleep 3600
USER     PID   0.0  0.0  4267964    700 s001  S     1:32pm   0:00.00 sleep 3600

The above process(es) will be terminated. Are you sure [y/n]? y
Terminating processes matching sleep...
Success! All processes matching sleep were terminated.

$ ./findandkill.sh too many arguments
Too many arguments. One at a time.

$ ./findandkill.sh noprocesscalledthis

The above process(es) will be terminated. Are you sure [y/n]? y
Terminating processes matching noprocesscalledthis...
Failed. Either no running process(es) matching noprocesscalledthis, or process(es) noprocesscalledthis belong(s) to root.

Troubleshooting

First, make script executable:

sudo chmod +x /path/to/script/findandkill.sh

Then, try again:

./path/to/script/findandkill.sh