---
name: "nologin"
section: "8"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/nologin"
---

# nologin(8)

politely refuse a login

## NAME

**nologin** – politely refuse a login

## SYNOPSIS

**nologin**

## DESCRIPTION

**nologin** displays a message that an account is not available and exits non-zero. It is intended as a replacement shell field for accounts that have been disabled.

If the file */etc/nologin.txt* exists, **nologin** displays its contents to the user instead of the default message.

## SEE ALSO

[login(1)](/login/1.md)

## HISTORY

The **nologin** command appeared in 4.4BSD.