Simple bash script for Linux/macOS to find and terminate processes based on a given user string.
findandkill.sh [string]
where [string] is any keyword given by the user to search for processes.
A list of processes matching [string] will be presented using ps aux, and the user will be asked to verify (y or n) that these processes are to be terminated. If y, processes matching [string] will be terminated. If n, the script will exit.
If no running processes match [string], and the user chooses y, the script will exit.
If more than one-or no-[string] arguments are given, the script will exit.
non-root users cannot kill processes belonging to root. To do so, run the script using sudo:
sudo /path/to/script/findandkill.sh [string]
Or, login as root and run the script.
$ ./findandkill.sh sleep
USER PID 0.0 0.0 4267964 700 s001 S 1:32pm 0:00.00 sleep 3600
USER PID 0.0 0.0 4267964 700 s001 S 1:32pm 0:00.00 sleep 3600
USER PID 0.0 0.0 4267964 700 s001 S 1:32pm 0:00.00 sleep 3600
USER PID 0.0 0.0 4267964 700 s001 S 1:32pm 0:00.00 sleep 3600
The above process(es) will be terminated. Are you sure [y/n]? y
Terminating processes matching sleep...
Success! All processes matching sleep were terminated.
$ ./findandkill.sh too many arguments
Too many arguments. One at a time.
$ ./findandkill.sh noprocesscalledthis
The above process(es) will be terminated. Are you sure [y/n]? y
Terminating processes matching noprocesscalledthis...
Failed. Either no running process(es) matching noprocesscalledthis, or process(es) noprocesscalledthis belong(s) to root.
First, make script executable:
sudo chmod +x /path/to/script/findandkill.sh
Then, try again:
./path/to/script/findandkill.sh