What is useradd Linux command?

The useradd command in Linux is used to create new user accounts. It allows you to specify various attributes for the new user, such as the home directory, login shell, and User ID. By using useradd, system administrators can easily and efficiently add and manage user accounts on a Linux system.

useradd Syntax:

useradd [options] username

useradd Options:

Option	Description
-c, —comment COMMENT	Specify a comment describing the user
-m, —create-home	Create the user’s home directory
-g, —gid GROUP	Specify the initial login group for the user
-G, —groups GROUPS	Specify additional groups for the user
-s, —shell SHELL	Specify the user’s login shell
-u, —uid UID	Specify the user ID for the new user
-p, —password PASSWORD	Set the encrypted password for the user

Caution

It is important to use useradd command with caution as it can have security implications if not used properly. Always ensure the proper permissions and password policies are followed.

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
username	The name of the user to be created

useradd Command Usage Examples:

Create a New User

useradd john

Creates a new user with the username “john”.

Set Home Directory for New User

useradd -d /home/jane jane

Creates a new user named “jane” with the home directory set to “/home/jane”.

Assign User ID when Creating a User

useradd -u 1001 jerry

Creates a new user with the username “jerry” and assigns the user ID 1001.

Specify User’s Shell

useradd -s /bin/bash mike

Creates a new user named “mike” and sets the default shell to “/bin/bash”.

Create a System User

useradd -r serveruser

Creates a system user named “serveruser” with a UID lower than 1000.

Tip

Remember to use the appropriate options with the useradd command to customize the user creation process according to your specific requirements.

How do I use useradd in Linux?

To use the useradd command in bash, execute the following command:

useradd example_user

What is the syntax for useradd command?

The syntax for the useradd command in Linux is as follows:

useradd [options] username

How can I create a new user with a specific home directory using useradd?

To create a new user with a specific home directory, use the -d option with the useradd command. For example:

useradd -d /home/new_user example_user

How to set the expiration date for a user account with useradd?

You can set the expiration date for a user account using the -e option with the useradd command. Here’s an example:

useradd -e 2023-12-31 example_user

How to create a new user and assign a specific user ID (UID) using useradd?

To create a new user and assign a specific user ID (UID), use the -u option with the useradd command. For example:

useradd -u 1001 example_user

How can I set the default login shell for a new user with useradd?

To set the default login shell for a new user, use the -s option with the useradd command. Here’s an example:

useradd -s /bin/bash example_user

How to create a new user and add the user to a specific group using useradd in Linux?

To create a new user and add the user to a specific group, use the -g option with the useradd command. For example:

useradd -g group_name example_user

How do I create a new user and assign multiple supplementary groups with useradd?

To create a new user and assign multiple supplementary groups, use the -G option with the useradd command. Here’s an example:

useradd -G group1,group2 example_user

Applications of the useradd command

• Creating a new user account on a Linux system
• Specifying user details like username, home directory, and default shell
• Setting user account expiration dates
• Assigning a group to the new user
• Setting a password for the new user
• Creating user’s home directory if it does not already exist
• Adding user to specific supplementary groups
• Setting user account attributes like UID and GID
• Providing user account with specific login environment configurations