In this article, you will learn about What is the /etc/skel directory in Linux?
The /etc/skel directory contains files and directories that are automatically copied over to a new user’s home directory when such a user is created by the useradd program. skel is derived from the “skeleton”. Below is shown a picture.
Note: “skeleton” directory is define in /etc/default/useradd file
Below you can see the picture of /etc/default/useradd file which defines the skel directory. You can change the default location /etc/skel to any other location.
cat /etc/default/useradd
# useradd defaults file GROUP=100 HOME=/home INACTIVE=-1 EXPIRE= SHELL=/bin/bash SKEL=/etc/skel CREATE_MAIL_SPOOL=yes
You can also change the default base /home directory to any other location. For Example (HOME=/home, you can change the location to any other location like /file/home you need to change the value HOME=/file/home)
Changing the default user home location
If you want to change the default home location of the user then you have to edit useradd file using any editors. For example, I’m using here vim editors.
vim /etc/default/useradd
And change the default value from /home to the consider home location. For example, if you want to change it /data/userhome then you just need to type.
HOME=/data/userhome
When you create any new users, then the new users’ home will be /data/userhome.
Default permission of /etc/skel directory
The default permission of /etc/skel directory is drwxr-xr-x.
It is not recommended to change the permission of the skel directory or its contents. Changing the permission may break some of the programs because in the skel directory some profiles need the permission of ‘read’ and trying to permit it to execute will cause some programs/profiles to work unexpectedly.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we learn about the /etc/skel directory in Linux. I hope, you understand, but if you have any questions, you can ask in the comment section.
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