---
name: "vigr"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "util-linux"
version: "2.42.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/vipw"
---

# vigr(8)

edit the password or group file

Part of [vipw(8)](/vipw/8.md).

## NAME

vipw, vigr - edit the password or group file

## SYNOPSIS

**vipw** \[options\]

**vigr** \[options\]

## DESCRIPTION

**vipw** edits the password file after setting the appropriate locks, and does any necessary processing after the password file is unlocked. If the password file is already locked for editing by another user, **vipw** will ask you to try again later. The default editor for **vipw** and **vigr** is [**vi**(1)](/vi/1.md). **vigr** edits the group file in the same manner as **vipw** does the passwd file.

## OPTIONS

- **-h**, **--help**

  Display help text and exit.

- **-V**, **--version**

  Display version and exit.

## ENVIRONMENT

If the following environment variable exists, it will be utilized by **vipw** and **vigr**:

**EDITOR**

The editor specified by the string **EDITOR** will be invoked instead of the default editor [**vi**(1)](/vi/1.md).

## HISTORY

The **vipw** command appeared in 4.0BSD. The **vigr** command appeared in Util-Linux 2.6.

## SEE ALSO

[**vi**(1)](/vi/1.md), [**passwd**(1)](/passwd/1.md), [**flock**(2)](/flock/2.md), [**passwd**(5)](/passwd/5.md)

## AVAILABILITY

The **vigr** and **vipw** commands are part of the util-linux package and are available from *Linux Kernel Archive* \<https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/util-linux/\>