systemctl-log-target

systemctl log-target [TARGET]

systemctl log-target gets or sets where the systemd service manager sends its log messages. Without arguments, it displays the current target. With a target argument, it redirects logging at runtime.This controls where systemd's own messages go, separate from where individual service logs are sent.

journal-or-kmsg - Journal if available, else kernel ring bufferjournal - systemd journal onlykmsg - Kernel ring buffer (dmesg)console - System consolesyslog - Traditional syslognull - Discard all logsauto - Automatic selection

Changes are temporary and reset on reboot. Console logging can slow the system and flood the display. Null target discards all systemd diagnostic output.

The log-target subcommand provides runtime control over systemd's log destination, useful for debugging boot issues or redirecting logs in specific environments.

systemctl-log-level(1), journalctl(1), systemctl(1)