---
syntax: markdown
tags: [tldr, common]
source: https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr.git
---
# pkill

> Signal process by name.
> Mostly used for stopping processes.
> More information: <https://www.manned.org/pkill>.

- Kill all processes which match:

`pkill "{{process_name}}"`

- Kill all processes which match their full command instead of just the process name:

`pkill {{[-f|--full]}} "{{command_name}}"`

- Force kill matching processes (can't be blocked):

`pkill -9 "{{process_name}}"`

- Send SIGUSR1 signal to processes which match:

`pkill -USR1 "{{process_name}}"`

- Kill the main `firefox` process to close the browser:

`pkill {{[-o|--oldest]}} "{{firefox}}"`
