Raspberry PI Shutdown Script/Button

In order to do a proper shutdown of a Raspberry PI and avoid corruption of the SD card when running headless (without keyboard or monitor attached); the following python script and a button may be used in combination with an LED indicator that goes off when it is safe to remove the power from the PI.

1.) From a linux Terminal session issue the command:

apt-get install python-dev python-rpi.gpio

2.) Create the file /home/pi/shutdown.py with following content:

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO  
import time  
import os  
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)  
GPIO.setup(17, GPIO.IN)  
while True:  
       if (GPIO.input(17) == False):  
               os.system("sudo shutdown -h now")  
               break  
       time.sleep(1)  

3.) Edit the file /etc/rc.local and add the following line:

python /home/pi/shutdown.py

Add that line before the exit 0 command.

The above shutdown script is configured to monitor GPIO pin 17 and when pulled low by a reset button issues the system shutdown command. GPIO pin 14 should set up to drive the base of a 2N2222 transistor to switch on an indicator LED.

Shutdown procedure:

Press and Hold the reset button for 2 seconds.

Release reset button

Wait for indicator light to extinguish

Remove power from PI