---
name: "pam_xdg"
section: "8"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pam_xdg"
---

# pam\_xdg(8)

XDG PAM module

## NAME

**pam\_xdg** – XDG PAM module

## SYNOPSIS

\[*service-name*\] *module-type* *control-flag* *pam\_xdg* \[*arguments*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The xdg service module for PAM creates the runtime files base directory according to the Cross Desktop Group Base Directory Specification.

By default the directory is created under */var/run/xdg/*$USER.

The following option may be passed to the authentication module:

- **runtime\_dir\_prefix**=*directory*

  Use an alternate base directory

## ENVIRONMENT

- XDG\_RUNTIME\_DIR

  The location of the runtime files base directory created by this module.

## STANDARDS

The directory created by this module conforms to the *XDG* *Base* *Directory* *Specification:* **https://specifications.freedesktop.org/basedir-spec**.

## SEE ALSO

[pam(3)](/pam/3.md), [pam.conf(5)](/pam.conf/5.md)

## AUTHORS

The **pam\_xdg** module and this manual page were written by Emmanuel Vadot ⟨*manu@FreeBSD.org*⟩.