# Xmpp Apt Notifications - Trent's Blog
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# XMPP Apt Notification

date: 2021-01-09

## Introduction

In order to save yourself the work of checking your computer for updates, configure it to send you a weekly notification for updates using cron and sendxmpp.

## Register an Xmpp User

`ssh` into your prosody server and use `prosodyctl` to create a user for your computer.

i.e. for your htpc:

    # prosodyctl adduser htpc@example.com

You will be prompted to create a password.

## Install sendxmpp

`ssh` into your computer and install `sendxmpp`.

i.e. for your htpc:

    $ sudo apt-get install sendxmpp

## Configure sendxmpp

`ssh` into your computer and login as the root user using

    $ sudo su

write the following contents into `/root/.sendxmpprc`, i.e. for your htpc

    htpc@example.com;example.com <password>

secure your `.sendxmpprc` file by making it read-only, and only accessible by the root user

    # chmod 600 /root/.sendxmpprc

## Create Cron Job

While still logged in as root, open `crontab` for editing.

    # crontab -e

And then write a command in `crontab`, i.e. for your htpc.

    #!/bin/bash
    PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin
    15 3 * * 4 apt-get update && apt-get -u upgrade --assume-no | sendxmpp -t -u htpc <yourself>@example.com

## Receive Notifications on Android Device

Example Notification in Yaxim on Android