# What is going on here? almost nothing runs from the terminal **URL:** \ **Category:** General Support\ **Created:** [September 19, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/t/what-is-going-on-here-almost-nothing-runs-from-the-terminal/42615 "2026-09-19T15:28:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![UD1](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/u/f07891/32.png) [@UD1](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/u/UD1)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/t/what-is-going-on-here-almost-nothing-runs-from-the-terminal/42615/1 "2026-09-19T15:28:23Z")
I am just trying to run very basic tools and this is what I am getting. Some “XDG\_RUNTIME\_DIR” error… ![constructapp](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/uploads/default/original/2X/b/bb239f81e37f476cad8d10269bf9e1b8657de95c.png) Please advise. Thank you ---
**Author:** ![rtellez](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/user_avatar/get-help.theconstruct.ai/rtellez/32/9813_2.png) [@rtellez](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/u/rtellez)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:47am UTC](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/t/what-is-going-on-here-almost-nothing-runs-from-the-terminal/42615/2 "2026-09-21T07:47:46Z")
You need to provide more context about what were you doing. Always indicate as much information as possible. For instance: - What were you doing? Launching a course of a rosject? - Which course? Which rosject? - Take a picture of the whole screen not only of the few lines that show the error. Usually the error is due to some things done before. - Take a picture of the whole screen, not only of the terminal - Include information about your system (which OS, which browser, which location) ---
**Author:** ![UD1](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/u/f07891/32.png) [@UD1](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/u/UD1)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 10:34am UTC](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/t/what-is-going-on-here-almost-nothing-runs-from-the-terminal/42615/3 "2026-09-21T10:34:28Z")
Many thanks for your reply, This is all taking place on a rosjet on the construct’s app (web app). I am using humble hawksbill here. Right off the bat, I was trying to run rqt\_graph. I never had any prior issues with the app. I think that this has to do with backend of the app. This also occurs with any other command where some window is expected to open up (e.g. turtle simulator). ![Untitled](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/uploads/default/original/2X/f/fd6fcc35c2c2f8ffc076b5a74ef0853c082710c9.png) ---
**Author:** ![bayodesegun](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/user_avatar/get-help.theconstruct.ai/bayodesegun/32/10684_2.png) [@bayodesegun](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/u/bayodesegun)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 9:58am UTC](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/t/what-is-going-on-here-almost-nothing-runs-from-the-terminal/42615/4 "2026-09-22T09:58:49Z")
Thanks for sharing the screenshot. Now from the screenshot, **it’s normal** that `rqt_graph` does not work because no simulation is running. Are you familiar with the basics of ROS / ROS 2? If not, I would recommend that you take the ROS Basics in 5 Days / ROS2 Basics in 5 Days course, depending on which version you wish to learn. If you are following a copied rosject (with a detailed notebook), it should have instructions about launching the simulation before running visualization packages. ---
**Author:** ![UD1](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/u/f07891/32.png) [@UD1](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/u/UD1)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 11:27am UTC](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/t/what-is-going-on-here-almost-nothing-runs-from-the-terminal/42615/5 "2026-09-22T11:27:31Z")
rqt\_graph is supposed to show the running nodes and topics… Kindly, take a closer look at the message in blue in the original post. Also, when attempting to run turtlesim\_node, I get the same error. Take a look here: ![test1scrn](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0656476ea01269e9f598c7fbd09bdf2157790559.png) ---
**Author:** ![bayodesegun](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/user_avatar/get-help.theconstruct.ai/bayodesegun/32/10684_2.png) [@bayodesegun](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/u/bayodesegun)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 12:44pm UTC](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/t/what-is-going-on-here-almost-nothing-runs-from-the-terminal/42615/6 "2026-09-23T12:44:43Z")
Oh, I see. The images you shared earlier did not indicate that you ran any simulation. I assume you left the simulation running in one terminal and ran the rqt\_graph in another terminal? Also, the “XDG\_RUNTIME\_DIR” error message is just a greeting message to get used to 😉 Please open the Graphical Tools window to see both the sim and the visualization: * * * ![rviz-graphical-tools](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/uploads/default/original/2X/8/8ed07d591e4db7a82e6737ab62b6c7e7e4b24394.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![UD1](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/u/f07891/32.png) [@UD1](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/u/UD1)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 3:32am UTC](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/t/what-is-going-on-here-almost-nothing-runs-from-the-terminal/42615/7 "2026-09-25T03:32:52Z")
Thank you Bayodesegun, The issue has been resolved. Earlier, I was able to view rqt\_graph and similar applications right after pressing the enter button (after typing the command in the terminal). However, now, I can only view these application windows after clicking on the “graphical tools” window button. Best, ---
**Author:** ![bayodesegun](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/user_avatar/get-help.theconstruct.ai/bayodesegun/32/10684_2.png) [@bayodesegun](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/u/bayodesegun)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 5:08am UTC](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/t/what-is-going-on-here-almost-nothing-runs-from-the-terminal/42615/8 "2026-09-26T05:08:14Z")
Thanks for the update. Glad to inform you that the windows now automatically open as before so you would not have to manually open them. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/uploads/default/original/2X/9/9d3ce8305cc0d0d9b6e07d15767a6f245c526f1b.jpeg) [@system](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 5:08am UTC](https://get-help.theconstruct.ai/t/what-is-going-on-here-almost-nothing-runs-from-the-terminal/42615/9 "2026-10-06T05:08:28Z")
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