Linux whoami command

Linux whoami Command – Check the Current User

The whoami command in Linux is a simple yet useful utility that displays the currently logged-in user. It is often used in scripts and troubleshooting to verify user privileges.

Syntax

whoami

This command returns the username of the currently active user.

Example Usage

1. Check the Current User

Run:

whoami

Output:

john

This indicates that the logged-in user is john.

2. Verify User Identity After Switching Users

If you use the su command to switch to another user:

su - anotheruser
whoami

Output:

anotheruser

This confirms that the session is now running under anotheruser.

3. Use whoami in a Shell Script

You can integrate whoami into a script for verification:

#!/bin/bash
USER=$(whoami)
echo "You are logged in as $USER"

4. Check the User Running a Command

To confirm which user is executing a command, use:

sudo whoami

Output:

root

This indicates that the command was executed with root privileges.

Difference Between whoami, who, and id

Command	Description
whoami	Displays the currently logged-in user.
who	Lists all logged-in users on the system.
id	Shows user ID (UID), group ID (GID), and group memberships.

Conclusion

The whoami command is a quick and easy way to check the current user session in Linux. It is especially useful when working with multiple user accounts or running scripts that require user verification.

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