Jetson Headless Mode

Plan-then-apply for safe, reversible user-space memory reclamation: switch the default systemd target away from graphical.target and disable a curated set of non-essential daemons. This is the highest-yield, lowest-risk memory win on Jetson.

Purpose

Build a user-approved headless-mode plan from live audit data, then apply only safe, reversible user-space changes that reduce desktop and daemon memory use on Jetson.

When to use

• "Free as much memory as possible — I don't need the GUI."
• "I'm shipping this Jetson as an inference appliance / edge node."
• After jetson-memory-audit shows default_systemd_target=graphical.target or shows gdm3 / lightdm / sddm active on a system the user describes as headless.

When NOT to use

• The user needs the local desktop, display output, kiosk UI, or any X/Wayland session. In that case, do not recommend disabling the graphical target or display manager; use jetson-memory-audit for a read-only view and suggest non-GUI memory options instead.
• You do not have current audit data. Run jetson-memory-audit first, or ask the user for its output, before proposing changes or estimating savings.