---
name: "bsdconfig"
section: "8"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/bsdconfig"
---

# bsdconfig(8)

system configuration utility

## NAME

**bsdconfig** – system configuration utility

## SYNOPSIS

**bsdconfig** \[**-h**\]

**bsdconfig** *command* \[**-h**\]

**bsdconfig** \[OPTIONS\] \[command \[OPTIONS\]\]

## DESCRIPTION

**bsdconfig** is used to set up many system configuration settings, both for new systems, as well as changing configuration settings of existing systems.

**bsdconfig** optionally takes a command as an argument. If invoked with no arguments, it will bring up an interactive menu listing the available modules.

The following options are available:

- **-d**

  Provide lots of debugging info on standard-out when running.

- **-D** *file*

  Send debugging info to file. If file begins with a plus-sign debug info is sent to both standard-out and file (minus the leading plus).

- **-f** *file*

  Load *file* as script and then exit. If multiple occurrences, program will only exit after last occurrence. If *file* is a single dash (‘**-**’), **bsdconfig** reads from standard input.

- **-h**

  Print usage statement and exit.

- **-S**

  Secure X11 mode (implies **-X**). As root, always prompt-for and validate [sudo(8)](/sudo/8.md) (*ports/security/sudo*) username/password before starting.

- **-X**

  Use [Xdialog(1)](/Xdialog/1.md) (*ports/x11/xdialog*) in place of [dialog(1)](/dialog/1.md).

## COMMANDS

The following commands (sorted alphabetically) are currently included in the base **bsdconfig** program, with more to be added soon. Other commands can be added, as detailed below in the **ADDING** **COMMANDS** section, and once added, will appear in the master menu as well as in the **-h** listing.

- **console**

  Utilities to customize the behavior of the system console.

- **date**

  Set the system date, preserving the current time-of-day.

- **datetime**

  Set the system date and/or time on the running machine.

- **defaultrouter**

  Shortcut to the Default Router/Gateway menu under networking.

- **diskmgmt**

  Manage disk partitions and/or labels. Executes [sade(8)](/sade/8.md).

- **docsinstall**

  Executes the **bsdinstall** **docsinstall** sub-utility to allow installation/re-installation of the FreeBSD Documentation set(s).

- **dot**

  Generate a graphviz [dot(1)](/dot/1.md) (*ports/graphics/graphviz*) language file (printed on stdout) visualizing the **bsdconfig** menu, include, and shortcut structure relationships. See “bsdconfig dot -h” for more details.

- **groupadd**

  Shortcut to the Add Groups menu under groupmgmt.

- **groupdel**

  Shortcut to the Delete Groups menu under groupmgmt.

- **groupedit**

  Shortcut to the Edit/View Groups menu under groupmgmt.

- **groupmgmt**

  Utilities to Add/Change/View/Delete Group Accounts.

- **hostname**

  Shortcut to the Hostname/Domain menu under networking.

- **kern\_securelevel**

  Shortcut to the kern.securelevel menu under security.

- **mouse**

  Utilities for configuring, exploring, and enabling console mouse support.

- **mouse\_disable**

  Shortcut to the Disable menu under mouse.

- **mouse\_enable**

  Shortcut to the Enable menu under mouse.

- **mouse\_flags**

  Shortcut to the Flags menu under mouse.

- **mouse\_port**

  Shortcut to the Port menu under mouse.

- **mouse\_type**

  Shortcut to the Type menu under mouse.

- **nameservers**

  Shortcut to the DNS Nameservers menu under networking.

- **netdev**

  Shortcut to the Network Interfaces menu under networking.

- **networking**

  Utilities to set/change Hostname/Domain, Network Interfaces, Wireless Network, Default Router/Gateway, and DNS Nameservers.

- **packages**

  Browse, install, uninstall, or re-install packaged software.

- **password**

  Set the system administrator (root) password.

- **security**

  Configure various system security settings.

- **startup**

  Configure various aspects of system startup.

- **startup\_misc**

  Shortcut to the Miscellaneous Startup Services menu under startup.

- **startup\_rcadd**

  Shortcut to the Add New menu under the View/Edit Startup Configuration menu (startup\_rcconf) of startup.

- **startup\_rcconf**

  Shortcut to the View/Edit Startup Configuration menu under startup.

- **startup\_rcdelete**

  Shortcut to the Delete menu under the View/Edit Startup Configuration menu (startup\_rcconf) of startup.

- **startup\_rcvar**

  Shortcut to the Toggle Startup Services menu under startup.

- **syscons\_font**

  Shortcut to the Font menu under console for [syscons(4)](/syscons/4.md).

- **syscons\_keymap**

  Shortcut to the Keymap menu under console for [syscons(4)](/syscons/4.md).

- **syscons\_repeat**

  Shortcut to the Repeat menu under console for [syscons(4)](/syscons/4.md).

- **syscons\_saver**

  Shortcut to the Saver menu under console for [syscons(4)](/syscons/4.md).

- **syscons\_screenmap**

  Shortcut to the Screenmap menu under console for [syscons(4)](/syscons/4.md).

- **syscons\_ttys**

  Shortcut to the Ttys menu under console for [syscons(4)](/syscons/4.md).

- **vt\_font**

  Shortcut to the Font menu under console for [vt(4)](/vt/4.md).

- **vt\_keymap**

  Shortcut to the Keymap menu under console for [vt(4)](/vt/4.md).

- **vt\_repeat**

  Shortcut to the Repeat menu under console for [vt(4)](/vt/4.md).

- **vt\_saver**

  Shortcut to the Saver menu under console for [vt(4)](/vt/4.md).

- **vt\_screenmap**

  Shortcut to the Screenmap menu under console for [vt(4)](/vt/4.md).

- **vt\_ttys**

  Shortcut to the Ttys menu under console for [vt(4)](/vt/4.md).

- **time**

  Set the system time-of-day, preserving the current calendar date.

- **timezone**

  Set the regional timezone of the local machine.

- **ttys**

  Edit the [ttys(5)](/ttys/5.md) database with your favorite editor.

- **useradd**

  Shortcut to the Add Users menu under usermgmt.

- **userdel**

  Shortcut to the Delete Users menu under usermgmt.

- **useredit**

  Shortcut to the Edit/View Users menu under usermgmt.

- **usermgmt**

  Utilities to Add/Edit/View/Delete User Accounts.

- **wireless**

  Shortcut to the Wireless Networks menu under networking.

## INTERNATIONALIZATION

i18n features are built into **bsdconfig** and language-specific translation files will be added as they become available. In the absence of language-specific translation files, the default (en\_US.ISO8859-1) files will be used.

## ADDING COMMANDS

To be documented later. Document menu\_selection="command\|\*" syntax of INDEX files.

## ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES

The following environment variables affect the execution of **bsdconfig**:

- LANG

  If LANG is set, messages and index information will be read from files named messages.$LANG and INDEX.$LANG and fall back to files named messages and INDEX if messages.$LANG and INDEX.$LANG do not exist. LANG takes precedence over LC\_ALL.

- LC\_ALL

  If LC\_ALL is set, messages and index information will be read from files named messages.$LC\_ALL and INDEX.$LC\_ALL and fall back to files named messages and INDEX if messages.$LC\_ALL and INDEX.$LC\_ALL do not exist.

## FILES

/usr/share/examples/bsdconfig/bsdconfigrc can be copied to $HOME/.bsdconfigrc and customized as needed.

## EXIT STATUS

The **bsdconfig** utility exits 0 on success, and \>0 if an error occurs.

## SEE ALSO

[bsdinstall(8)](/bsdinstall/8.md)

## HISTORY

**bsdconfig** first appeared in FreeBSD 9.2.

## AUTHORS

Ron McDowell Devin Teske ⟨*dteske@FreeBSD.org*⟩

## BUGS

The docsinstall and diskmgmt modules call bsdinstall. Bugs found in these modules should be considered those of bsdinstall, not **bsdconfig**.