Written for Synergy 3 (v3.7.2) and Synergy 1 (v1.21.4), checked 3 October 2026.
Product: Synergy 1 and Synergy 3
Operating system: Linux
Use these terminal commands to stop, start and restart Synergy 1 or Synergy 3 on Linux. To restart either app without a terminal, quit it from its tray icon and open it again.
Synergy 3
Processes
synergy-service: the background service; it starts the other two
synergy-core: core client/server logic
synergy-tray: tray app
All three are in /opt/Synergy. The service runs as the systemd user unit synergy-3, which starts when you log in.
Commands
Stop: systemctl --user stop synergy-3
Start: systemctl --user start synergy-3
Restart: systemctl --user restart synergy-3
To pause or restart only the core, use Pause, Resume or Restart in the tray menu.
Unload service: sudo /opt/Synergy/synergy-service --uninstall
Load service: sudo /opt/Synergy/synergy-service --install
The Synergy 3 Flatpak doesn't use the systemd unit: opening Synergy 3 starts the service, and Exit in the tray menu stops it.
Synergy 1
Processes
synergy: the Synergy 1 app
synergy-core: server or client; the app starts it
Commands
Stop server/client: killall synergy-core, or File > Stop in the app
Start server: synergy-core server &
Start client: synergy-core client &
Both use the settings you saved in the Synergy 1 app (~/.config/Synergy/Synergy.conf), including the server address and this computer's name.
Synergy 1 (v1.17.1 to v1.20)
Processes
synergy-server: server
synergy-client: client
Commands
Stop server/client: killall synergy-server synergy-client
Start server: synergy-server --config /path/to/synergy.conf &
Start client: synergy-client <server-ip> &
Synergy 1 versions older than v1.17.1
Processes
synergys: server
synergyc: client
Commands
Stop server/client: killall synergys synergyc
Start server: synergys --config /path/to/synergy.conf &
Start client: synergyc <server-ip> &