# Exec node - help with how it spawns

**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/exec-node-help-with-how-it-spawns/95957
**Category:** General
**Created:** [12 March 2025 23:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/exec-node-help-with-how-it-spawns/95957 "2025-03-12T23:12:30Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 10

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### Author: ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)
#### Post date: [13 March 2025 14:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/exec-node-help-with-how-it-spawns/95957/10 "2025-03-13T14:39:59Z")

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ok, so you installed using the node-red installer script.

Try this...

1. open a terminal
2. run `node-red-stop` (to stop node-red)
3. enter `export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/$(id -u)`
4. enter `node-red`
5. test your exec nodes

If this works, edit your service file as described in my previous post & restart the pi

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_[View the full topic](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/exec-node-help-with-how-it-spawns/95957)._