Here is a LaunchDaemon for OS X, maybe useful. Need to change the paths for your install. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict> <key>Label</key> <string>edu.psu.galaxy</string> <key>OnDemand</key> <false/> <key>Program</key> <string>/Users/james/galaxy-dist/run.sh<string> <key>RunAtLoad</key> <true/> <key>ServiceDescription</key> <string>Galaxy</string> <key>StandardErrorPath</key> <string>/Users/james/galaxy-dist/logs/launchd.stderr</string> <key>StandardOutPath</key> <string>/Users/james/galaxy-dist/logs/launchd.stdout</string> <key>UserName</key> <string>james</string> </dict> </plist>