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if I type

echo $PATH

I only get

/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/games:/usr/games

how can I add /usr/local/sbin to the path, so it is already there the next time?

(I use debian squeeze)

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2 Answers 2

Reset to default
33

The easiest way is to add this line to your user's ~/.bashrc file:

export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/sbin

Bear in mind that /sbin/, /usr/sbin and /usr/local/sbin are not in normal users' $PATHs by default because these directories tend to contain "dangerous" executables. Things like fdisk or deluser that need administrative privileges and can harm your computer. They should be in root's path by default and you need to be root to run them anyway, so it migh be a good idea not to add them to a normal user's $PATH.

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  • Assuming they are using bash.
    – vgoff
    May 15, 2013 at 12:03
  • @vgoff the question is tagged with bash.
    – terdon
    May 15, 2013 at 12:05
  • Yes, it is. Didn't notice initially. Left it after I hit 'add comment'
    – vgoff
    May 15, 2013 at 12:06
  • Wouldnt that add the path to $PATH again and again? And which would be the correct path to store own written bash files then? files, that the user may execute?
    – rubo77
    May 15, 2013 at 12:15
  • 1
    @rubo77 The PATH is only set for a shell session, and .bashrc is only called once at the start of the session. Your own scripts, you could store them in ~/bin, and add that to the path, for example.
    – slhck
    May 15, 2013 at 12:19
4

Add the following to the end of the .bashrc of the user:

export PATH=/usr/local/sbin:$PATH
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