The zsh/newuser Module (zsh)

### 22.19 The zsh/newuser Module ¶

The `zsh/newuser` module is loaded at boot if it is available, the `RCS` option is set, and the `PRIVILEGED` option is not set (all three are true by default). This takes place immediately after commands in the global `zshenv` file (typically `/etc/zshenv`), if any, have been executed. If the module is not available it is silently ignored by the shell; the module may safely be removed from `$MODULE_PATH` by the administrator if it is not required.

On loading, the module tests if any of the start-up files `.zshenv`, `.zprofile`, `.zshrc` or `.zlogin` exist in the directory given by the environment variable `ZDOTDIR`, or the user’s home directory if that is not set. The test is not performed and the module halts processing if the shell was in an emulation mode (i.e. had been invoked as some other shell than zsh).

If none of the start-up files were found, the module then looks for the file `newuser` first in a sitewide directory, usually the parent directory of the `site-functions` directory, and if that is not found the module searches in a version-specific directory, usually the parent of the `functions` directory containing version-specific functions. (These directories can be configured when zsh is built using the `--enable-site-scriptdir=`dir and `--enable-scriptdir=`dir flags to `configure`, respectively; the defaults are prefix`/share/zsh` and prefix`/share/zsh/$ZSH_VERSION` where the default prefix is `/usr/local`.)

If the file `newuser` is found, it is then sourced in the same manner as a start-up file. The file is expected to contain code to install start-up files for the user, however any valid shell code will be executed.

The `zsh/newuser` module is then unconditionally unloaded.

Note that it is possible to achieve exactly the same effect as the `zsh/newuser` module by adding code to `/etc/zshenv`. The module exists simply to allow the shell to make arrangements for new users without the need for intervention by package maintainers and system administrators.

The script supplied with the module invokes the shell function `zsh-newuser-install`. This may be invoked directly by the user even if the `zsh/newuser` module is disabled. Note, however, that if the module is not installed the function will not be installed either. The function is documented in User Configuration Functions.