Background Jobs

Linux lets you run multiple tasks in one terminal.

Run in background

command &           # Start in background

Output: [1] 12345 — job number and PID

Job control

jobs               # List background jobs
bg %1              # Resume job 1 in background
fg %1              # Bring job 1 to foreground
fg                 # Bring most recent job to foreground

Suspend and resume

1. Run a command in foreground
2. Press Ctrl+Z to pause it
3. Type bg to resume it in background
4. Type fg to bring it back

nohup — Run after logout

nohup command &                        # Run even after logout
nohup python3 server.py > server.log &

Output goes to nohup.out by default.

disown — Detach from shell

command &
disown %1           # Detach from shell

Practical example

# Start a long download in background
wget https://example.com/bigfile.zip &

# Check progress
jobs

# Bring to foreground to see output
fg %1