---
name: "cdist-type__motd"
section: "7"
platform: "linux"
package: "cdist"
version: "7.0.0-5"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/cdist-type__motd"
---

# cdist-type\_\_motd(7)

Manage message of the day

## NAME

cdist-type\_\_motd - Manage message of the day

## DESCRIPTION

This cdist type allows you to easily setup /etc/motd.

**NOTE:**

In some OS, motd is a bit special, check *[motd(5)](/motd/5.md)*. Currently Debian, Devuan, Ubuntu and FreeBSD are taken into account. If your OS of choice does something besides /etc/motd, check the source and contribute support for it. Otherwise it will likely just work.

## REQUIRED PARAMETERS

None.

## OPTIONAL PARAMETERS

- **source**

  If supplied, copy this file from the host running cdist to the target. If source is '-' (dash), take what was written to stdin as the file content. If not supplied, a default message will be placed onto the target.

## EXAMPLES

```
# Use cdist defaults
__motd
# Supply source file from a different type
__motd --source "$__type/files/my-motd"
# Supply source from stdin
__motd --source "-" <<EOF
Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow-
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream
EOF
```

## AUTHORS

Nico Schottelius \<*nico-cdist--@--schottelius.org*\>

## COPYING

Copyright (C) 2020 Nico Schottelius. You can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

## COPYRIGHT

ungleich GmbH 2021