diff --git a/adaptived/doc/internal/list-of-built-in-effects.md b/adaptived/doc/internal/list-of-built-in-effects.md
index 2147cdb..a8fe1db 100644
--- a/adaptived/doc/internal/list-of-built-in-effects.md
+++ b/adaptived/doc/internal/list-of-built-in-effects.md
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ Parameters that accept long long or float also support some human-readable forma
 | [logger](../../src/effects/logger.c) | Given an array of files, write their contents to "logfile" | <ul><li>"logfile" (string) - Output file to store the log data</li><li>"max_file_size" (int - optional) - Maximum amount of data that will be copied from each source file.  Defaults to 32kB if not specified</li><li>"files" (array)<ul><li>"file" (string) - file to copy</li></ul></li><li>"separator_prefix" (string - optional) - If specified, this string will be written each time this effect triggers</li><li>"date_format" (string - optional) - If specified, the date will be written in the specified format each time the effect triggers</li><li>"utc" (boolean - optional) - If specified, the date will be recorded in UTC time.  Otherwise, the machine's localtime() will be used</li><li>"separator_postfix" (string - optional) - If specified, this string will be written each time this effect triggers</li><li>"file_separator" (string - optional) -If specified, this string will be written between each file being logged</li></ul> | [ftest 043](../../tests/ftests/043-effect-logger-no-separators.json)<br />[ftest 044](../../tests/ftests/044-effect-logger-date-format.json) | |
 | [print](../../src/effects/print.c) | Print a message to a file | <ul><li>"message" (string - optional) - message to output</li><li>"file" (string) - file to write to.  Currently only supports "stdout" or "stderr"</li></ul> | [Jimmy Buffett Example](../examples/jimmy-buffett-config.json) | |
 | [print_schedstat](../../src/effects/print_schedstat.c) | Print schedstat to a file | <ul><li>"file" (string) - file to write to.  Currently only supports "stdout" or "stderr"</li></ul> | [ftest 054](../../tests/ftests/054-effect-print_schedstat.json) | |
+| [sd_bus_setting](../../src/effects/sd_bus_setting.c) | Operate on sd_bus properties | <ul><li>"target" (string) - cgroup slice name or scope name</li><li>"setting" (string) - sd_bus property name (e.g. MemoryMax)</li><li>"value" (string, long long, or double) - value to write to the property.  If the operator is set to add or subtract, this value will be added/subtracted from the current value of the property</li><li>"operator" (string) - add, subtract, or set</li><li>"limit" (string, long long, or double - optional) - if provided, this effect will use the value as an upper or lower limit when the operator is set to add or subtract, respectfully</li><li>"validate" (boolean - optional) - if true, the setting effect will read from the property to ensure the value was properly set</li><li>"runtime" (boolean - optional) - if true, make changes only temporarily, so that they are lost on the next reboot.</ul> | [ftest 1000](../../tests/ftests/1000-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int.json)<br />[ftest 1001](../../tests/ftests/1001-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int.json)<br />[ftest 1002](../../tests/ftests/1002-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_int.json)<br />[ftest 1003](../../tests/ftests/1003-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting-CPUQuota.json)<br />[ftest 1004](../../tests/ftests/1004-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int_infinity.json)<br />[ftest 1005](../../tests/ftests/1005-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_infinity.json)<br />[ftest 1006](../../tests/ftests/1006-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int_scope.json)<br />[ftest 1007](../../tests/ftests/1007-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_str.json) | |
 | [setting](../../src/effects/cgroup_setting.c) | Write to a setting file | <ul><li>"setting" (string) - full path to the setting</li><li>"value" (string, long long, or double) - value to write to the setting file.  If the operator is set to add or subtract, this value will be added/subtracted from the current value of setting</li><li>"operator" (string) - add, subtract, or set</li><li>"limit" (string, long long, or double - optional) - if provided, this effect will use the value as an upper or lower limit when the operator is set to add or subtract, respectfully</li><li>"validate" (boolean - optional) - if true, the setting effect will read from the setting file to ensure the value was properly set</li></ul> | [ftest 055](../../tests/ftests/055-effect-setting_set_int.json)<br />[ftest 056](../../tests/ftests/056-effect-setting_add_int.json)<br />[ftest 057](../../tests/ftests/057-effect-setting_sub_int.json) | Shares a code base with the cgroup effect code |
 | [signal](../../src/effects/kill_processes.c) | Send a signal to the process(es) that match the user-specified process name(s) | <ul><li>"proc_names" (array)<ul><li>"name" (string) - process name (as found in /proc/{pid}/stat)</li></ul></li><li>"signal" (int - optional) - signal to send to the processes being killed. Curently only supports integers. Default - 10 (i.e. SIGUSR1)</li></ul> | [ftest_069](../../tests/ftests/069-effect-signal.json) | |
 | [snooze](../../src/effects/snooze.c) | Once the cause(s) in a rule have triggered, snooze (i.e. ignore any more triggers) for a specified duration | <ul><li>"duration" (int) - how long to ignore triggers, in interval milliseconds</li></ul> | [ftest 010](../../tests/ftests/010-snooze_effect.json) | |
diff --git a/adaptived/include/adaptived-utils.h b/adaptived/include/adaptived-utils.h
index 1a23779..8ca3678 100644
--- a/adaptived/include/adaptived-utils.h
+++ b/adaptived/include/adaptived-utils.h
@@ -263,6 +263,7 @@ int adaptived_farray_linear_regression(float * const array, int array_len, int i
 				    int interp_x, float * const interp_y);
 
 #define ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_VALIDATE 0x1
+#define ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_RUNTIME	0x2	/* systemctl --runtime: make changes only temporarily */
 
 /**
  * Write a long long value to a cgroup setting
diff --git a/adaptived/src/effects/sd_bus_setting.c b/adaptived/src/effects/sd_bus_setting.c
index ebad5ec..f4ff0a9 100644
--- a/adaptived/src/effects/sd_bus_setting.c
+++ b/adaptived/src/effects/sd_bus_setting.c
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ struct cg_opts {
 
 	enum effect_op_enum op;
 
+	bool runtime;
 	bool limit_provided;
 	struct adaptived_cgroup_value limit; /* optional */
 	bool validate;
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ int sd_bus_setting_init(struct adaptived_effect * const eff, struct json_object
 	opts->value.type = ADAPTIVED_CGVAL_CNT;
 	opts->limit.type = ADAPTIVED_CGVAL_CNT;
 	opts->limit_provided = false;
+	opts->runtime = false;
 
 	ret = adaptived_parse_string(args_obj, "target", &target_str);
 	if (ret)
@@ -152,6 +154,15 @@ int sd_bus_setting_init(struct adaptived_effect * const eff, struct json_object
 		}
 	}
 
+	ret = adaptived_parse_bool(args_obj, "runtime", &opts->runtime);
+	if (ret == -ENOENT) {
+		opts->runtime = false;
+		ret = 0;
+	} else if (ret) {
+		adaptived_err("Failed to parse the sd_bus_setting runtime arg: %d\n", ret);
+		goto error;
+	}
+
 	ret = adaptived_parse_bool(args_obj, "validate", &opts->validate);
 	if (ret == -ENOENT) {
 		opts->validate = false;
@@ -212,6 +223,9 @@ static int add(const struct cg_opts * const opts, struct adaptived_cgroup_value
 		if (opts->validate)
 			cgflags |= ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_VALIDATE;
 
+		if (opts->runtime)
+			cgflags |= ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_RUNTIME;
+
 		ret = adaptived_sd_bus_set_ll(opts->target, opts->setting, sum, cgflags);
 		if (ret)
 			return ret;
@@ -244,6 +258,9 @@ static int subtract(const struct cg_opts * const opts, struct adaptived_cgroup_v
 		if (opts->validate)
 			cgflags |= ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_VALIDATE;
 
+		if (opts->runtime)
+			cgflags |= ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_RUNTIME;
+
 		ret = adaptived_sd_bus_set_ll(opts->target, opts->setting, diff, cgflags);
 		if (ret)
 			return ret;
@@ -292,6 +309,8 @@ static int _sd_bus_setting_main(struct adaptived_effect * const eff)
 	case EOP_SET:
 		if (opts->validate)
 			cgflags |= ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_VALIDATE;
+		if (opts->runtime)
+			cgflags |= ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_RUNTIME;
 
 		ret = adaptived_sd_bus_set_value(opts->target, opts->setting, &opts->value, cgflags);
 		if (ret)
@@ -318,6 +337,9 @@ int sd_bus_setting_main(struct adaptived_effect * const eff)
 			if (ret)
 				return ret;
 
+			if (opts->runtime)
+				cgflags |= ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_RUNTIME;
+
 			ret = adaptived_sd_bus_set_ll(opts->target, opts->setting, ll_value, cgflags);
 			if (ret)
 				return ret;
@@ -332,8 +354,14 @@ int sd_bus_setting_main(struct adaptived_effect * const eff)
 			ret = adaptived_get_meminfo_field(PROC_MEMINFO, "MemTotal", &ll_value);
 			if (ret)
 				return ret;
+
+			cgflags = ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_VALIDATE;
+
+			if (opts->runtime)
+				cgflags |= ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_RUNTIME;
+
 			ret = adaptived_sd_bus_set_ll(opts->target, opts->setting, ll_value,
-						   ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_VALIDATE);
+						   cgflags);
 			if (ret)
 				return ret;
 			adaptived_dbg("%s: %s at max. Changed to %lld\n", __func__, opts->setting, ll_value);
diff --git a/adaptived/src/parse.c b/adaptived/src/parse.c
index d81aa91..94591e1 100644
--- a/adaptived/src/parse.c
+++ b/adaptived/src/parse.c
@@ -624,6 +624,8 @@ static int parse_json(struct adaptived_ctx * const ctx, const char * const buf)
 
 	obj = json_tokener_parse_verbose(buf, &err);
 	if (!obj || err) {
+		if (err)
+			adaptived_err("%s: %s\n", __func__, json_tokener_error_desc(err));
 		ret = -EINVAL;
 		goto out;
 	}
diff --git a/adaptived/src/utils/sd_bus_utils.c b/adaptived/src/utils/sd_bus_utils.c
index 1896ff5..f2a6405 100644
--- a/adaptived/src/utils/sd_bus_utils.c
+++ b/adaptived/src/utils/sd_bus_utils.c
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ static int property_assignment(sd_bus_message *m, cgroupType t, const char *prop
 }
 
 static int set_property(const char *name, const char *property,
-			const struct adaptived_cgroup_value * const value)
+			const struct adaptived_cgroup_value * const value, bool arg_runtime)
 {
 	sd_bus_error error = SD_BUS_ERROR_NULL;
 	sd_bus_message *m = NULL;
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ static int set_property(const char *name, const char *property,
 	int r;
 	cgroupType t;
 
-	adaptived_dbg("set_property: name=%s, property=%s\n", name, property);
+	adaptived_dbg("set_property: name=%s, property=%s, arg_runtime=%d\n", name, property, arg_runtime);
 
 	r = sd_bus_default_system(&bus);
 	if (r < 0) {
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ static int set_property(const char *name, const char *property,
 		return t;
 	}
 
-	r = sd_bus_message_append(m, "sb", name, false);
+	r = sd_bus_message_append(m, "sb", name, arg_runtime);
 	if (r < 0) {
 		adaptived_err("set_property: sd_bus_message_append() failed, r=%d\n", r);
 		return r;
@@ -359,6 +359,7 @@ API int adaptived_sd_bus_set_ll(const char * const target, const char * const pr
 {
 	struct adaptived_cgroup_value val;
 	int ret = 0;
+	bool arg_runtime = false;
 
 	if (!target || !property)
 		return -EINVAL;
@@ -368,7 +369,10 @@ API int adaptived_sd_bus_set_ll(const char * const target, const char * const pr
 	val.type = ADAPTIVED_CGVAL_LONG_LONG;
 	val.value.ll_value = value;
 
-	ret = set_property(target, property, &val);
+	if (flags & ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_RUNTIME)
+		arg_runtime = true;
+
+	ret = set_property(target, property, &val, arg_runtime);
 	if (ret < 0)
 		return ret;
 
@@ -395,6 +399,7 @@ API int adaptived_sd_bus_set_str(const char * const target, const char * const p
 {
 	struct adaptived_cgroup_value val;
 	int ret = 0;
+	bool arg_runtime = false;
 
 	if (!target || !property || !value)
 		return -EINVAL;
@@ -404,7 +409,10 @@ API int adaptived_sd_bus_set_str(const char * const target, const char * const p
 	val.type = ADAPTIVED_CGVAL_STR;
 	val.value.str_value = (char *)value;
 
-	ret = set_property(target, property, &val);
+	if (flags & ADAPTIVED_CGROUP_FLAGS_RUNTIME)
+		arg_runtime = true;
+
+	ret = set_property(target, property, &val, arg_runtime);
 	if (ret < 0)
 		return ret;
 
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1000-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int.c b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1000-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int.c
index 35f9b8d..8c44956 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1000-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int.c
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1000-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int.c
@@ -67,11 +67,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	ret = adaptived_set_attr(ctx, ADAPTIVED_ATTR_LOG_LEVEL, LOG_DEBUG);
 	if (ret)
 		goto err;
-	ret = start_slice(cgroup_slice_name, "cat");
-	if (ret) {
-		adaptived_err("Failed to create slice: %s, ret=%d\n", cgroup_slice_name, ret);
-		goto err;
-	}
+
 	ret = adaptived_loop(ctx, true);
 	if (ret != EXPECTED_RET)
 		goto err;
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1000-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int.json b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1000-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int.json
index 1cd2192..71f8836 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1000-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int.json
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1000-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int.json
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@
 						"setting": "MemoryMax",
 						"value": 89997312,
 						"operator": "set",
-						"validate": true
+						"validate": true,
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				}
 			]
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1001-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int.c b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1001-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int.c
index 633300c..f9a26b3 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1001-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int.c
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1001-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int.c
@@ -67,11 +67,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	ret = adaptived_set_attr(ctx, ADAPTIVED_ATTR_LOG_LEVEL, LOG_DEBUG);
 	if (ret)
 		goto err;
-	ret = start_slice(cgroup_slice_name, "cat");
-        if (ret) {
-                adaptived_err("Failed to create slice: %s, ret=%d\n", cgroup_slice_name, ret);
-                goto err;
-        }
+
 	ret = adaptived_loop(ctx, true);
 	if (ret != EXPECTED_RET)
 		goto err;
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1001-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int.json b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1001-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int.json
index 3e013c6..6051a4a 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1001-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int.json
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1001-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int.json
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@
 						"target": "sudo1001.slice",
 						"setting": "MemoryMax",
 						"value": 89997312,
-						"operator": "set"
+						"operator": "set",
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				},
 				{
@@ -26,7 +27,8 @@
 						"setting": "MemoryMax",
 						"value": 4096,
 						"operator": "add",
-						"validate": true
+						"validate": true,
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				}
 			]
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1002-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_int.c b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1002-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_int.c
index ff79f1f..0f34a12 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1002-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_int.c
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1002-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_int.c
@@ -67,11 +67,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	ret = adaptived_set_attr(ctx, ADAPTIVED_ATTR_LOG_LEVEL, LOG_DEBUG);
 	if (ret)
 		goto err;
-        ret = start_slice(cgroup_slice_name, "cat");
-        if (ret) {
-                adaptived_err("Failed to create slice: %s, ret=%d\n", cgroup_slice_name, ret);
-                goto err;
-        }
+
 	ret = adaptived_loop(ctx, true);
 	if (ret != EXPECTED_RET)
 		goto err;
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1002-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_int.json b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1002-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_int.json
index 2f7bf05..48dad0b 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1002-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_int.json
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1002-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_int.json
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@
 						"target": "sudo1002.slice",
 						"setting": "MemoryMax",
 						"value": 89997312,
-						"operator": "set"
+						"operator": "set",
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				},
 				{
@@ -26,7 +27,8 @@
 						"setting": "MemoryMax",
 						"value": 4096,
 						"operator": "subtract",
-						"validate": true
+						"validate": true,
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				}
 			]
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1003-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting-CPUQuota.c b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1003-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting-CPUQuota.c
index fa8ef1e..12296e0 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1003-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting-CPUQuota.c
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1003-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting-CPUQuota.c
@@ -73,11 +73,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	ret = adaptived_set_attr(ctx, ADAPTIVED_ATTR_LOG_LEVEL, LOG_DEBUG);
 	if (ret)
 		goto err;
-        ret = start_slice(cgroup_slice_name, "cat");
-        if (ret) {
-                adaptived_err("Failed to create slice: %s, ret=%d\n", cgroup_slice_name, ret);
-                goto err;
-        }
+
 	ret = adaptived_loop(ctx, true);
 	if (ret != EXPECTED_RET)
 		goto err;
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1003-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting-CPUQuota.json b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1003-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting-CPUQuota.json
index c85c97a..6557b4c 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1003-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting-CPUQuota.json
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1003-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting-CPUQuota.json
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@
 						"target": "sudo1003.slice",
 						"setting": "CPUQuotaPeriodSec",
 						"value": "1s",
-						"operator": "set"
+						"operator": "set",
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				},
 				{
@@ -25,7 +26,8 @@
 						"target": "sudo1003.slice",
 						"setting": "CPUQuota",
 						"value": "44%",
-						"operator": "set"
+						"operator": "set",
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				}
 			]
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1004-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int_infinity.c b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1004-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int_infinity.c
index 811a4a0..a32ced1 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1004-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int_infinity.c
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1004-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int_infinity.c
@@ -68,11 +68,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	ret = adaptived_set_attr(ctx, ADAPTIVED_ATTR_LOG_LEVEL, LOG_DEBUG);
 	if (ret)
 		goto err;
-        ret = start_slice(cgroup_slice_name, "cat");
-        if (ret) {
-                adaptived_err("Failed to create slice: %s, ret=%d\n", cgroup_slice_name, ret);
-                goto err;
-        }
+
 	ret = adaptived_loop(ctx, true);
 	if (ret != EXPECTED_RET)
 		goto err;
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1004-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int_infinity.json b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1004-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int_infinity.json
index 6b03ef5..f140702 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1004-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int_infinity.json
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1004-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_add_int_infinity.json
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@
 						"setting": "MemoryMax",
 						"value": "infinity",
 						"operator": "set",
-						"validate": true
+						"validate": true,
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				},
 				{
@@ -27,7 +28,8 @@
 						"setting": "MemoryMax",
 						"value": 4096,
 						"operator": "add",
-						"validate": true
+						"validate": true,
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				}
 			]
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1005-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_infinity.c b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1005-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_infinity.c
index 77eaf26..0832c35 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1005-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_infinity.c
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1005-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_infinity.c
@@ -73,11 +73,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	ret = adaptived_set_attr(ctx, ADAPTIVED_ATTR_LOG_LEVEL, LOG_DEBUG);
 	if (ret)
 		goto err;
-        ret = start_slice(cgroup_slice_name, "cat");
-        if (ret) {
-                adaptived_err("Failed to create slice: %s, ret=%d\n", cgroup_slice_name, ret);
-                goto err;
-        }
+
 	ret = adaptived_loop(ctx, true);
 	if (ret != EXPECTED_RET)
 		goto err;
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1005-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_infinity.json b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1005-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_infinity.json
index ecd4e4a..f293e95 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1005-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_infinity.json
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1005-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_sub_infinity.json
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@
 						"setting": "MemoryMax",
 						"value": "infinity",
 						"operator": "set",
-						"validate": true
+						"validate": true,
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				},
 				{
@@ -27,7 +28,8 @@
 						"setting": "MemoryMax",
 						"value": 4096,
 						"operator": "subtract",
-						"validate": true
+						"validate": true,
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				}
 			]
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1006-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int_scope.json b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1006-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int_scope.json
index d7a228c..de97120 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1006-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int_scope.json
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1006-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_int_scope.json
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@
 						"setting": "MemoryMax",
 						"value": 89997312,
 						"operator": "set",
-						"validate": true
+						"validate": true,
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				}
 			]
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1007-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_str.c b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1007-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_str.c
index aa3201e..b682ccf 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1007-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_str.c
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1007-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_str.c
@@ -68,11 +68,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	ret = adaptived_set_attr(ctx, ADAPTIVED_ATTR_LOG_LEVEL, LOG_DEBUG);
 	if (ret)
 		goto err;
-	ret = start_slice(cgroup_slice_name, "cat");
-        if (ret) {
-                adaptived_err("Failed to create slice: %s, ret=%d\n", cgroup_slice_name, ret);
-                goto err;
-        }
+
 	ret = adaptived_loop(ctx, true);
 	if (ret != EXPECTED_RET)
 		goto err;
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1007-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_str.json b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1007-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_str.json
index b58238e..514ee26 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/1007-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_str.json
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/1007-sudo-effect-sd_bus_setting_set_str.json
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@
 						"setting": "DevicePolicy",
 						"value": "closed",
 						"operator": "set",
-						"validate": true
+						"validate": true,
+						"runtime": true
 					}
 				}
 			]
diff --git a/adaptived/tests/ftests/ftests.c b/adaptived/tests/ftests/ftests.c
index b5f93c5..7b50cd1 100644
--- a/adaptived/tests/ftests/ftests.c
+++ b/adaptived/tests/ftests/ftests.c
@@ -389,6 +389,7 @@ double time_elapsed(const struct timespec * const start, const struct timespec *
 int stop_transient(const char *transient_name)
 {
 	char cmdline[FILENAME_MAX];
+	char *cgrp_path = NULL;
 	int ret;
 
 	if (!transient_name)
@@ -399,6 +400,25 @@ int stop_transient(const char *transient_name)
 		return ret;
 	ret = system(cmdline);
 	adaptived_dbg("stop_transient: %s, ret=%d\n", cmdline, ret);
+
+	ret = build_systemd_cgroup_path(transient_name, &cgrp_path);
+	if (ret < 0 || cgrp_path == NULL) {
+		adaptived_err("%s: Failed to build the systemd cgroup path for %s, ret: %d\n", __func__, transient_name, ret);
+		return ret;
+	}
+
+	if (access(cgrp_path, F_OK) == 0) {
+		adaptived_dbg("stop_transient: %s still exists...\n", cgrp_path);
+		ret = snprintf(cmdline, FILENAME_MAX - 1, "sudo rmdir %s", cgrp_path);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			return ret;
+		ret = system(cmdline);
+		adaptived_dbg("stop_transient: %s, ret=%d\n", cmdline, ret);
+	}
+
+err:
+	if (cgrp_path)
+		free(cgrp_path);
 	return 0;
 }