Report issue Add example

su

Used to switch the current user identity to another user identity

Description

The su command (short for "substitute user" or "switch user") is used to switch the current user identity to another user identity. When switching, the password of the target user account must be entered.

Syntax

su (options) (parameters)

Options

-c <command>, --command=<command>: Execute the specified command and then return to the original identity.
-f, --fast: Applicable to csh and tcsh; prevents the shell from reading startup files.
-l, --login: When changing identity, also change the working directory, as well as HOME, SHELL, USER, and logname. Additionally, the PATH variable will be updated.
-m, -p, --preserve-environment: Do not change environment variables when changing identity.
-s <shell>, --shell=<shell>: Specify the shell to be executed.
--help: Display help.
--version: Display version information.

Parameters

User: Specify the target user account to switch to.

Examples

Switch to root, execute the ls command, and then return to the original user:

su -c ls root

Switch to root and pass the -f option to the new shell:

su root -f

Switch to test and change the working directory to test's home directory:

su - test