User Management
useradd
Create a new user account on the system.
Synopsis
syntax
useradd [OPTION]... LOGIN
Examples
Create user with home directory
sudo useradd -m alice
Create user with bash shell and extra groups
sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash -G sudo,docker alice
Create service account without login shell
sudo useradd -m -d /opt/app -s /usr/sbin/nologin appuser
Common options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| -m | Create home directory |
| -s | Login shell |
| -g | Primary group |
| -G | Supplementary groups |
| -d | Home directory path |
| -e | Account expiration date |
About useradd
The `useradd` command create a new user account on the system. User management commands handle creation, modification, and deletion of user accounts and groups.
Multi-user access control is a core feature of Linux. These commands are essential for system administrators managing servers, enforcing security policies, and provisioning access for teams.
The command accepts 6 commonly used flags shown above, though the full set of options is available in the man page (`man useradd`). The 3 examples on this page cover typical real-world usage patterns that you can copy and adapt for your own workflows.
Related commands
More User Management Commands
Other commands in the User Management category