---
name: "getusershell"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "man-pages"
version: "6.19-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/getusershell"
---

# getusershell(3)

get permitted user shells

## NAME

getusershell, setusershell, endusershell - get permitted user shells

## LIBRARY

Standard C library (*libc*, *-lc*)

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <unistd.h>
```

**char \*getusershell(void);** **void setusershell(void);** **void endusershell(void);**

Feature Test Macro Requirements for glibc (see [**feature\_test\_macros**(7)](/feature_test_macros/7.md)):

**getusershell**(), **setusershell**(), **endusershell**():

```
    Since glibc 2.21:
        _DEFAULT_SOURCE
    In glibc 2.19 and 2.20:
        _DEFAULT_SOURCE || (_XOPEN_SOURCE && _XOPEN_SOURCE < 500)
    Up to and including glibc 2.19:
        _BSD_SOURCE || (_XOPEN_SOURCE && _XOPEN_SOURCE < 500)
```

## DESCRIPTION

The **getusershell**() function returns the next line from the file */etc/shells*, opening the file if necessary. The line should contain the pathname of a valid user shell. If */etc/shells* does not exist or is unreadable, **getusershell**() behaves as if */bin/sh* and */bin/csh* were listed in the file.

The **setusershell**() function rewinds */etc/shells*.

The **endusershell**() function closes */etc/shells*.

## RETURN VALUE

The **getusershell**() function returns NULL on end-of-file.

## FILES

*/etc/shells*

## ATTRIBUTES

For an explanation of the terms used in this section, see [**attributes**(7)](/attributes/7.md).

| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Interface** | **Attribute** | **Value** |
| **getusershell**(), **setusershell**(), **endusershell**() | Thread safety | MT-Unsafe |

## STANDARDS

None.

## HISTORY

4\.3BSD.

## SEE ALSO

[**shells**(5)](/shells/5.md)