The useradd command can be used to create a users account in Linux.

Create user

The useradd command followed by username can be used to create a user account.

~]# useradd JohnDoe

Change password

The -p command can be used to create a password for the user.

~]# useradd -p MyPassword JohnDoe

Create home directory

The -d command can be used to create the users home directory. In this example, the home directory is /home/JohnDoe.

~]# useradd -d /home/JohnDoe JohnDoe

Create default shell

The -s command can be used create the users default shell (/bin/bash in this example).

~]# useradd -s /bin/bash JohnDoe

Join a group

The -G option can be used to add a new user to a group. In this example, JohnDoe is added to group1.

~]# useradd -G group1 JohnDoe

Add comment

The -c option can be used to add a comment. The comment is typically the users first and last name.

~]# useradd -c "John Doe" JohnDoe

View users account

The /etc/passwd file will contain the users account. Refer to Linux Files - Understanding the /etc/passwd file to view the users account.