Mastering Ubuntu Server - Second Edition

Distributing default configuration files with /etc/skel

In a typical organization, there are usually some defaults that are recommended for users in terms of files and configuration. For example, in a company that performs software development, there are likely recommended settings for text editors and version control systems. Files that are contained within /etc/skel are copied into the home directory for all new users when you create them (assuming you've chosen to create a home directory while setting up the user).

In fact, you can see this for yourself right now. If you execute the following command, you can view the contents of the /etc/skel directory:

ls -la /etc/skel 

Default /etc/skel files

You probably already know how to list files ...