---
name: "lock"
section: "1"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/lock"
---

# lock(1)

reserve a terminal

## NAME

**lock** – reserve a terminal

## SYNOPSIS

**lock** \[**-npv**\] \[**-t** *timeout*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **lock** utility requests a password from the user, reads it again for verification and then will normally not relinquish the terminal until the password is repeated. There are two other conditions under which it will terminate: it will timeout after some interval of time and it may be killed by someone with the appropriate permission.

The following options are available:

- **-n**

  Do not use a timeout value. Terminal will be locked forever.

- **-p**

  A password is not requested, instead the user's current login password is used.

- **-t** *timeout*

  The time limit (default 15 minutes) is changed to *timeout* minutes.

- **-v**

  Disable switching virtual terminals while this terminal is locked. This option is implemented in a way similar to the **-S** option of [vidcontrol(1)](/vidcontrol/1.md), and thus has the same restrictions. It is only available if the terminal in question is a [syscons(4)](/syscons/4.md) or [vt(4)](/vt/4.md) virtual terminal.

## EXAMPLES

Lock the terminal for 5 minutes, disable switching virtual terminals and require the user's login password to unlock:

```
$ lock -p -t 5 -v
```

## SEE ALSO

[vidcontrol(1)](/vidcontrol/1.md), [syscons(4)](/syscons/4.md), [vt(4)](/vt/4.md)

## HISTORY

The **lock** command appeared in 3.0BSD.