How to add User in Linux | user add Command

In Linux, you can add a new user to the system using the useradd command. This command creates a new user, allowing you to assign a username, configure a home directory, set a password, and more.

Syntax of the useradd Command

useradd [options] username

• username: The name of the new user you want to add.
• [options]: Various options that allow you to customize the user creation process (e.g., setting the home directory, shell, etc.).

Steps to Add a User Using the useradd Command

1. Open Terminal: Launch your terminal (you need superuser privileges).
2. Use the useradd Command: To add a new user, you can simply run the useradd command with the desired username.

   Example:

   sudo useradd username
   

   Replace username with the name of the user you wish to create.

3. Set a Password for the New User: After creating the user, you’ll need to set a password. You can do this using the passwd command.

   Example:

   sudo passwd username
   

   You will be prompted to enter the new password for the user.

4. Optional: Specify Additional Options: You can customize the user creation with additional options:
   • Set the Home Directory: By default, useradd creates the user’s home directory as /home/username. You can specify a custom home directory with the -d option.

     sudo useradd -d /custom/directory username
     

   • Assign the User to a Group: You can assign the user to a specific group using the -G option.

     sudo useradd -G groupname username
     

   • Set the Default Shell: You can specify the default shell (e.g., /bin/bash) using the -s option.

     sudo useradd -s /bin/bash username
     

   • Create a Home Directory: By default, useradd creates a home directory. If you want to explicitly create the home directory (in case it’s not created automatically), use the -m option:

     sudo useradd -m username
     

   • Expire the Account After a Specific Date: You can set an expiration date for the user account with the -e option:

     sudo useradd -e 2025-12-31 username
     

5. Verify the New User: To check if the user has been added successfully, you can list the contents of the /home/ directory or use the id command to display user information.

   id username
   

   This will display the user ID, group ID, and groups the user belongs to.

Example: Creating a User with Custom Options

sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash -G sudo username
sudo passwd username

This command:

• Creates the user username.
• Sets the default shell to /bin/bash.
• Adds the user to the sudo group.
• Creates the home directory for the user.

Conclusion

The useradd command in Linux is a powerful tool for adding new users to the system. By using various options, you can customize the user’s environment, set their password, and configure group memberships. Always ensure you set a secure password for the user and verify the creation process to confirm the user has been added successfully.