timeout

SafeRun with a time limit

timeout 30 <command>

Kills a command after a deadline — make scripts safe against hangs in remote queries and flaky tools.

Examples

timeout 10 curl -s https://api.example.com/healthHealth check that gives up at 10 s

Syntax

timeout [-s signal] <duration> <command>

Before you run it

Only kills the wrapped command.

Related commands

watchRepeat a command on screen
killKill a process
nohupKeep running after logout

The same reference, with no signal at all

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