View source for Create new user on Embedded Linux without useradd tools

This is used on Linux systems without utilities such as useradd. This guide was written when configuring a Beaglebone Black after linux installation using buildroot.

First go to /etc/passwd. Edit this file with vi.

Example line to add 'alex:x:1010:1010:,:/home/alex:/bin.bash

username:alex
passwd:x meaning stored in /etc/shadow
user id:1010
group id:1010
additional text field: seperate by commas, nothing added in this example
shell prompt:bash

#Ensure user id is unique.

Second go to /etc/shadow. Edit file with vi.

Example line 'alex:x:1010:'

Third ensure home directory has been created as defined in /etc/passwd. This can be done using a template.

cp -r /etc/skel /home/alex. If not available use mkdir /home/alex for now.

Ensure permissions are correct for home and alex.

'chown alex:alex /home/alex' AND 'chmod 0755 /home/alex'

Fourth edit /etc/shadow file.

Use the passwd alex command to change this.  Now the user has been edit this command should work fine and populate /etc/shadow