runuser

Run command as different user

$ runuser [user] -c '[command]'

$ runuser [user] -g [group] -c '[command]'

$ runuser [user] -l

$ runuser [user] -s /bin/bash

$ runuser [user] -p -c '[command]'

runuser [-l] [-c command] [-g group] [-s shell] [-p] user

runuser runs commands as another user without requiring password authentication. Unlike su, it's designed for use by root in system scripts and services where interactive authentication isn't appropriate.
The tool is commonly used in init scripts and system services to drop privileges to a specific user before executing commands.

-c, --command _command_

Command to execute

Specify group

Start login shell

Use specific shell

Keep environment variables

Preserve specific variables

Requires root to run. No password prompt (unlike su). Environment handling depends on options. Login shell resets most environment.

runuser is part of util-linux, providing a non-interactive way for root to run commands as other users. It's preferred over su in scripts due to its predictable behavior.

su(1), sudo(8), runcon(1)