- A
systemctl daemon-reload
Why wrong: Reloads systemd configuration but does not enable services.
- B
systemctl start myapp
Why wrong: Starts the service now but does not enable it for boot.
- C
systemctl enable myapp
Correct: enable configures the service to start at boot.
- D
systemctl reenable myapp
Why wrong: Not a standard systemctl command; use enable.
Question 87 of 1,000
XK0-005 System Management Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A service called 'myapp' fails to start automatically after a system reboot. The administrator wants to ensure the service starts at boot. Which systemctl command should be used?
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
✓
systemctl enable myapp
The `systemctl enable myapp` command creates the necessary symlinks in the systemd unit configuration directories (typically `/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/`) so that the `myapp` service is automatically started at boot. This is the correct approach because the question specifically asks to ensure the service starts after a reboot, not to start it immediately.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
systemctl daemon-reload
Why it's wrong here
Reloads systemd configuration but does not enable services.
- ✗
systemctl start myapp
Why it's wrong here
Starts the service now but does not enable it for boot.
- ✓
systemctl enable myapp
Why this is correct
Correct: enable configures the service to start at boot.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
systemctl reenable myapp
Why it's wrong here
Not a standard systemctl command; use enable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `systemctl start` (immediate start) with `systemctl enable` (boot-time start), or they mistakenly think `systemctl reenable` is a valid command for re-enabling a service.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Not a standard systemctl command; use enable.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `systemctl enable` creates a symbolic link from the unit file in `/lib/systemd/system/` (or `/etc/systemd/system/`) into the appropriate `.wants/` directory under `/etc/systemd/system/`, which tells systemd to start the service when its target (e.g., `multi-user.target`) is reached during boot. A real-world scenario where this matters is when a service like `nginx` must be enabled to survive reboots after a kernel update; without enabling, the service would remain inactive until manually started.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the XK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
System Management — This question tests System Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: systemctl enable myapp — The `systemctl enable myapp` command creates the necessary symlinks in the systemd unit configuration directories (typically `/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/`) so that the `myapp` service is automatically started at boot. This is the correct approach because the question specifically asks to ensure the service starts after a reboot, not to start it immediately.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This XK0-005 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 XK0-005 exam.
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