Linux runuser Guide

Linux runuser Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to runuser on Linux, covering Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions including running commands as different users, user switching, and privilege management.

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Table of Contents

1. runuser Basics
2. Running as User
3. User Switching
4. Environment
5. Troubleshooting

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runuser Basics

Run as User

Basic usage:

# Run command as user
runuser -l username -c 'command'

# -l = login shell
# -c = command

Simple Usage

Basic command:

# Run as user
runuser -u username command

# -u = user (runs command as user)

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Running as User

Execute Command

Run command:

# Execute command
runuser -u username -c 'ls -la'

# Runs ls as specified user

Login Shell

With login shell:

# Login shell
runuser -l username -c 'echo $HOME'

# -l = login (full login environment)

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User Switching

Switch User

Change user:

# Switch to user
runuser -l username

# Opens shell as user

Without Login

No login shell:

# Without login
runuser -u username

# Runs shell without full login

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Environment

Preserve Environment

Keep environment:

# Preserve environment
runuser -u username -c 'env'

# Shows user's environment

Custom Environment

Set environment:

# Custom environment
runuser -u username -c 'HOME=/custom command'

# Sets custom HOME

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Troubleshooting

runuser Not Found

Check installation:

# runuser is part of util-linux
# Usually pre-installed

# Check runuser
which runuser

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Summary

This guide covered runuser usage, user switching, and privilege management for Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions.

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Next Steps

• su Guide - Switch user
• sudo Guide - Execute as another user
• User and Groups - User management
• runuser Documentation: man runuser

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This guide covers Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other Linux distributions. For distribution-specific details, refer to your distribution's documentation.