systemctl-log-target

Show current log target

$ systemctl log-target

$ systemctl log-target [journal-or-kmsg|journal|kmsg|console|syslog|null|auto]

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 buffer
journal - systemd journal only
kmsg - Kernel ring buffer (dmesg)
console - System console
syslog - Traditional syslog
null - Discard all logs
auto - 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)