Q. How do I use FreeBSD pw command to add users?
A. The pw command is a command-line based editor for the system user and group files, allowing the superuser an easy to use and standardized way of adding, modifying and removing users and groups.
Add user called tom
To add a user called tom, enter:
# pw useradd -n tom -s /bin/csh -m
# passwd tom
Where,
- -n tom : Username
- -s /bin/csh : Set shell
- -m : Create and setup home directory /home/tom
Delete a user called tom
Enter the command:
# pw userdel -n tom -r
Note that -r option remove home directory & its contents.
Getting help with pw command
For a summary of options available with each command, you can use
pw [command] help
For example, lists all available options for the useradd operation.
# pw useradd help
# man pw
Featured Articles:
- 20 Linux System Monitoring Tools Every SysAdmin Should Know
- 20 Linux Server Hardening Security Tips
- My 10 UNIX Command Line Mistakes
- Linux: 20 Iptables Examples For New SysAdmins

- 25 PHP Security Best Practices For Sys Admins
- The Novice Guide To Buying A Linux Laptop
- 10 Greatest Open Source Software Of 2009
- Top 5 Email Client For Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows Users
- Top 20 OpenSSH Server Best Security Practices
- Top 10 Open Source Web-Based Project Management Software
- Top 5 Linux Video Editor Software
Facebook it - Tweet it - Print it -


{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I found that it’s ‘pw user add name’ not ‘pw useradd name’ but thanks for the info!
er also you don’t have to use the -n switch for the user name
You can either use ‘pw useradd’ or ‘pw user add’
peace