How do I get the kernel to automatically run commands at startup?

The contents of the Mathematica kernel's init.m file are automatically evaluated when the kernel is started. Specific commands can be automatically evaluated every time you launch the installed copy of Mathematica by editing the kernel's init.m file in a text editor to include the needed specific commands.

Mac OS X

Mathematica 5.0:
/Applications/Mathematica\ 5.0.app/Configuration/Kernel/init.m

Mathematica 4.2:
/Applications/Mathematica\ 4.2.app/Configuration/Kernel/init.m

Mac Classic

Mathematica 4.1:
Mathematica 4.1 Files:Configuration:Kernel:init.m

Mathematica 4.0:
Mathematica 4.0 Files:Configuration:Kernel:init.m

Mathematica 3.0:
Mathematica 3.0 Files:Configuration:Kernel:init.m

Windows

Mathematica 5.0:
C:\Program Files\Wolfram Research\Mathematica\5.0\Configuration\Kernel\init.m

Mathematica 4.2:
C:\Program Files\Wolfram Research\Mathematica\4.2\Configuration\Kernel\init.m

Mathematica 4.1:
C:\Program Files\Wolfram Research\Mathematica\4.1\Configuration\Kernel\init.m

Mathematica 4.0:
C:\Program Files\Wolfram Research\Mathematica\4.0\Configuration\Kernel\init.m

Mathematica 3.0:
C:\Program Files\Wolfram Research\Mathematica\3.0\Configuration\Kernel\init.m

Linux/UNIX

Mathematica 5.0:
/usr/local/Wolfram/Mathematica/5.0/Configuration/Kernel/init.m

Mathematica 4.2:
/usr/local/Wolfram/Mathematica/4.2/Configuration/Kernel/init.m

Mathematica 4.1:
/usr/local/mathematica/Configuration/Kernel/init.m

Mathematica 4.0:
/usr/local/mathematica/Configuration/Kernel/init.m

Mathematica 3.0:
/usr/local/mathematica/Configuration/Kernel/init.m

If the specific commands need to be evaluated only when you launch Mathematica (and not necessarily for others who use Mathematica), edit this file in a text editor. If it does not already exist, create it.

Mac OS X

Mathematica 5.0:
/(user home dir)/Library/Mathematica/Kernel/init.m

Mathematica 4.2:
/(user home dir)/Library/Mathematica/Kernel/init.m

Mac Classic

Mathematica 4.1:
System Folder:Preferences:Mathematica:4.1:Kernel:init.m

Mathematica 4.0:
System Folder:Preferences:Mathematica:4.0:Kernel:init.m

Mathematica 3.0:
System Folder:Preferences:Mathematica:3.0:Kernel:init.m

Windows

Mathematica 5.0:
C:\Documents and Settings\(user)\Application Data\Mathematica\Kernel\init.m

Mathematica 4.2:
C:\Documents and Settings\(user)\Application Data\Mathematica\Kernel\init.m

Mathematica 4.1:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Mathematica\4.1\Kernel\init.m

Mathematica 4.0:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Mathematica\4.0\Kernel\init.m

Mathematica 3.0:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Mathematica\3.0\Kernel\init.m

Linux/UNIX

Mathematica 5.0:
~/.Mathematica/Kernel/init.m

Mathematica 4.2:
~/.Mathematica/Kernel/init.m

Mathematica 4.1:
~/.Mathematica/4.1/Kernel/init.m

Mathematica 4.0:
~/.Mathematica/4.0/Kernel/init.m

Mathematica 3.0:
~/.Mathematica/3.0/Kernel/init.m

This file is a plain text file and can be opened, edited and saved in your preferred text editor.

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