adduser

Add a new user account

TLDR

Create a new user with a default home directory and prompt the user to set a password

$ adduser [username]

Create a new user without a home directory

$ adduser --no-create-home [username]

Create a new user with a home directory at the specified path

$ adduser --home [path/to/home] [username]

Create a new user with the specified shell set as the login shell

$ adduser --shell [path/to/shell] [username]

Create a new user belonging to the specified group

$ adduser --ingroup [group] [username]

--home DIR
    Create the new user using DIR as the home directory.

--shell SHELL
    Use SHELL as login shell for the new user.

--uid ID
    Use ID as user ID for the new user.

--gid ID
    Use ID as group ID for the new user.

--disabled-login
    Do not create a password for the user. The user will not be able to login

--disabled-password
    Same as disabled-login

--gecos GECOS
    Set the GECOS field for the new user.

--add_extra_groups
    Add user to groups in the configuration file.

username
    The username to be created

DESCRIPTION

The adduser command is a utility used to create new user accounts on a Linux system. It simplifies the process of adding new users by automating tasks such as creating the user's home directory, setting up initial group memberships, copying skeleton configuration files, and prompting for a password. adduser differs across distributions. On Debian-based systems, it's an interactive script that guides the administrator through the process, ensuring consistency and adherence to system policies.
Other distributions (like RHEL and its derivatives) may provide a less feature-rich implementation or rely more heavily on user management tools from their graphical environment.
The script typically interacts with the system's user and group management tools, such as useradd, groupadd, and related configuration files (e.g., /etc/passwd, /etc/group, /etc/shadow).
Properly configured, it helps maintain a secure and organized user environment.

CAVEATS

The specific options and behavior of adduser can vary significantly between different Linux distributions. Always consult the man page (man adduser) for your system to determine the available options and their effects.

CONFIGURATION FILES

On Debian-based systems, adduser uses configuration files like /etc/adduser.conf to control its behavior. This file defines default settings for home directory creation, group memberships, and other aspects of user creation. Consult this file to understand the defaults used by adduser on your system.

PASSWORD MANAGEMENT

adduser typically prompts the administrator to set a password for the new user. It may enforce password complexity requirements based on system policies. Be sure to set a strong and secure password.