Managing Several Graphical Applications without Desktop Manager

[camillelola]

I currently have an Ubuntu 16.04.4 Server install and I'm using it to launch three graphical applications. Currently, the setup is to autologin in for tty1-3 and then depending on which TTY it is, to launch a specific program in an X server (startx )

The problem is if any of the exit, how do I relaunch them in their specific TTY's? The main application that any kiosk user will see is tty1, while only a system installer or maintenance person will have access to plug a keyboard in to get to tty2 and 3.

I've looked at cron tasks, systemd, etc. and I just can't seem to get this to relaunch.

I wouldn't mind using a keyboard shortcut to launch the tty2-3 apps in tty1 over the main app, and the close and go back to the main app (kiosk users wouldn't have the ability to use a keyboard, just touchscreen). I don't want a desktop manager, though.

I think systemd would be the most elegant, but I am not sure how to get

1. startx script (exec ) in tty1
2. startx nm-connection-editor in tty2
3. startx xinput-calibrator in tty3

into systemd to always relaunch, but ONLY in those certain TTYs or to get the applications to switch on keyboard commands (when ctrl+T is pressed, app1 will switch to app2, when app2 is done to go back to app1, etc.)