systemctl-set-default

Set default boot target

$ systemctl set-default [target.target]

$ systemctl set-default graphical.target

$ systemctl set-default multi-user.target

systemctl set-default TARGET

systemctl set-default sets the default target that the system boots into by creating a symlink at `/etc/systemd/system/default.target` pointing to the specified target.
Common targets include `graphical.target` (GUI environment with display manager) and `multi-user.target` (text-mode multi-user with networking).

graphical.target - Full graphical user interface
multi-user.target - Text-mode multi-user
rescue.target - Single-user rescue shell
emergency.target - Minimal emergency shell

Requires root privileges. Takes effect on next boot. Does not affect the currently running system. Use `systemctl isolate` to switch targets immediately.

The set-default subcommand replaces traditional runlevel configuration, providing a simple way to control what target (runlevel equivalent) the system boots into.

systemctl-get-default(1), systemctl-isolate(1), systemctl(1)