---
name: "helpers"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "orville-write"
version: "2.55-3+b1"
release: "Debian 10 (Buster)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/helpers"
---

# helpers(1)

list or count helpers currently on the system.

## NAME

helpers - list or count helpers currently on the system.

## SYNOPSIS

**helpers** \[-fln\]

## DESCRIPTION

Helpers are users who volunteer to answer help requests by setting a help flag.  For more information, see the manual pages for [*mesg*(1)](/mesg/1.md) and [*write*(1)](/write/1.md).

The *helpers* command lists or counts the people who currently have helper flags set on the system. It lists them by default, or if the **-l** flag is given. It prints a count to standard output if the **-n** flag is given.

If the **-f** flag is given, only the helpers who are currently free are listed or counted.

## AUTHOR

Jan Wolter

## FILES

/etc/wrttmp

## SEE ALSO

[mesg(1)](/mesg/1.md), [write(1)](/write/1.md)