Toolbox Aid

August 9th, 2024 1:20 PM Mr. Q Categories: Command

Command: useradd

The useradd command is used to create a new user account on the system. It allows specifying various options to configure the new user’s home directory, default shell, user ID, and more. This command requires superuser (root) privileges.

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Sample Commands and Outputs:

• useradd -m -s /bin/bash username: Creates a new user with a home directory and default shell. Sample Command and Output:

  $ sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash user1

Description:

• -m: Creates the user’s home directory if it does not exist.
• -s /bin/bash: Specifies /bin/bash as the user’s default shell.
• user1: The username for the new account.
• useradd -d /custom/home/dir -s /bin/zsh username: Creates a new user with a custom home directory and shell. Sample Command and Output:

  $ sudo useradd -d /home/customuser -s /bin/zsh customuser

Description:

• -d /custom/home/dir: Specifies a custom home directory for the user.
• -s /bin/zsh: Specifies /bin/zsh as the user’s default shell.
• customuser: The username for the new account.
• useradd -u 1050 -g groupname -c "Full Name" username: Creates a new user with a specific UID, primary group, and comment. Sample Command and Output:

  $ sudo useradd -u 1050 -g developers -c "John Doe" johndoe

Description:

• -u 1050: Specifies the user ID (UID) for the new user.
• -g groupname: Specifies the primary group for the user.
• -c "Full Name": Adds a comment, typically the user’s full name.
• johndoe: The username for the new account.
• useradd -e 2024-12-31 username: Creates a new user with an account expiration date. Sample Command and Output:

  $ sudo useradd -e 2024-12-31 tempuser

Description:

• -e 2024-12-31: Sets the expiration date for the user account in YYYY-MM-DD format.
• tempuser: The username for the new account.
• useradd -g groupname -G additionalgroups -s /bin/bash username: Creates a new user with additional groups. Sample Command and Output:

  $ sudo useradd -g users -G admins,developers -s /bin/bash newuser

Description:

• -g groupname: Specifies the primary group for the user.
• -G additionalgroups: Specifies additional groups the user will belong to.
• -s /bin/bash: Specifies /bin/bash as the user’s default shell.
• newuser: The username for the new account.

Note: The useradd command is used to create new user accounts and set initial configurations. After creating a user, it is often necessary to set a password using the passwd command and configure other settings as needed.