XK0-006 Automation, Orchestration, and Scripting Practice Question
A Linux administrator is writing a Bash script that must run a cleanup routine when the script exits, whether it exits normally or is interrupted by a signal. The script defines a function named cleanup. Which command should the administrator use to ensure cleanup runs on exit?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any signal name works with trap, when SIGKILL and SIGSTOP are uncatchable and can never trigger a handler.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
trap 'cleanup' EXIT
The trap builtin is the standard Bash mechanism for running commands in response to signals or shell events. Using the EXIT pseudo-signal makes the handler run on any script termination, including normal completion and receipt of catchable signals, which is exactly what the administrator needs for a guaranteed cleanup routine.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
setsid cleanup &
Why it's wrong here
setsid starts the cleanup command in a new session detached from the controlling terminal, running it immediately in the background. It does not tie execution to the script's exit, does not handle signals, and would run cleanup at the wrong time, potentially before the script has finished its work.
- ✓
trap 'cleanup' EXIT
Why this is correct
The trap builtin with the EXIT pseudo-signal runs the specified command when the shell exits, regardless of whether the exit is normal or caused by a signal such as SIGINT. This matches the requirement to run cleanup unconditionally at script termination, and the single quotes defer expansion of cleanup until the trap fires.
- ✗
at now + 1 minute <<< cleanup
Why it's wrong here
The at command schedules a job to run at a future time through the atd daemon, which is unrelated to script exit handling. It would not run cleanup when the script terminates, and it depends on the at daemon being installed and running, adding an unnecessary external dependency that does not satisfy the scenario.
- ✗
trap 'cleanup' SIGKILL
Why it's wrong here
SIGKILL cannot be caught, blocked, or ignored by any process, so a trap on SIGKILL will never execute. Even though the syntax is accepted, the handler will never fire when the process is killed with SIGKILL, and a normal exit would not trigger it either, so the cleanup routine would not run as required.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Installing Linux and Package Management
Key term
Bash
Bash is a command-line interpreter that lets users interact with an operating system by typing text commands instead of clicking icons.
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This XK0-006 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-006 exam.