groupadd

Linux · Users and permissions · reference only

What it does

Creates a new group on the system. You can set the GID by hand or let the next free one be assigned.

Syntax

groupadd [opciones] grupo

Options and parameters

-g GID
Sets the numeric group ID.
-r
Creates a system group, with a GID from the reserved range.
-f
Does not fail if the group already exists; if the GID is taken it picks another.
-o
Allows creating a group with an already used GID (only together with -g).
-R DIR
Applies the changes inside the given root directory (chroot).

Usage examples

sudo groupadd devs
Creates the devs group with the next free GID.
sudo groupadd -g 1500 contabilidad
Creates the contabilidad group with GID 1500.
sudo groupadd -r servicio_web
Creates a system group for a service.
getent group devs
Checks the group was created and shows its GID and members.

Notes and common mistakes

On Debian and Ubuntu, GIDs below 1000 are reserved for the system.
-o allows duplicate GIDs, but it is rarely a good idea.

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