diff --git a/local-deploy.py b/local-deploy.py
index 7d572b9..e549576 100644
--- a/local-deploy.py
+++ b/local-deploy.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from pyinfra.operations import apt, files, pip, server, systemd
 
 
 # install into .local/lib
-def install(unix_user) -> None:
+def install(unix_user, enable_linger=True) -> None:
     remember_package = importlib.resources.files("remember_remember_bot")
     working_directory = os.getcwd()
     remote_venv_dir = f"{working_directory}/venv"
@@ -13,6 +13,22 @@ def install(unix_user) -> None:
     # install systemd units
     fn = "remember-remember-bot"
     service_file = remember_package / "pyinfra_assets" / f"{fn}.service.j2"
+    if enable_linger:
+        server.shell(
+            name=f"enable {unix_user}'s systemd units to auto-start at boot",
+            commands=[f"loginctl enable-linger {unix_user}"],
+        )
+        files.line(
+            name=f"{unix_user} .profile: ensure XDG_RUNTIME_DIR",
+            path=f"/home/{unix_user}/.profile",
+            line='export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR="/run/user/$UID"',
+        )
+        files.line(
+            name=f"{unix_user} .profile: ensure DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS",
+            path=f"/home/{unix_user}/.profile",
+            line='export DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS="unix:path=${XDG_RUNTIME_DIR}/bus"',
+        )
+
     files.template(
         name=f"Upload {fn}.service",
         src=service_file,