#1094230 debhelper: dh_installsystemduser cannot install files outside debian/

#1094230#5
Date:
2025-01-26 10:23:48 UTC
From:
To:
Hello,

I would like to install systemd user units that are /shipped/ by
upstream but not installed. Afaict the helper only can install files in
debian/ (debian/package.user.path et al).

sid)ametzler@argenau:/tmp/GNUPG2/gnupg2$ echo dh_installsystemduser --no-act --
verbose -pdirmngr doc/examples/systemd-user/dirmngr.*
dh_installsystemduser --no-act --verbose -pdirmngr doc/examples/systemd-user/dirmngr.service doc/examples/systemd-user/dirmngr.socket
(sid)ametzler@argenau:/tmp/GNUPG2/gnupg2$ dh_installsystemduser --no-act --verbose -pdirmngr doc/examples/systemd-user/dirmngr.*
dh_installsystemduser: error: User unit file "doc/examples/systemd-user/dirmngr.service" not found in package "dirmngr".

cu Andreas

#1094230#10
Date:
2025-01-26 11:18:32 UTC
From:
To:
Control: severity -1 minor
[...]

Hello,

I ended up sending this report when faced with:
a) I'd like to install $systemd user unit from an arbitrary location.
b) There is a special dh_installsystemduser which according to its name
and my general experience with debhelper will do this and
c) dh_installsystemduser cannot do this.

However if you think I looked at this the wrong way and the correct
thing to do is to use dh_install for installation and letting
dh_installsystemduser (without options) handle maintainerscripts that is
perfectly fine, too. - I just wish the manpage explicitely suggested
doing that.

cu Andreas