.. zsh-module-meta::
   :name: zsh/newuser
   :summary: Arrange for files for new users to be installed.

The ``zsh/newuser`` module is loaded at boot if it is
available, the ``RCS`` option is set, and the ``PRIVILEGED`` option is not
set (all three are true by default).  This takes
place immediately after commands in the global ``zshenv`` file (typically
``/etc/zshenv``), if any, have been executed.  If the module is not
available it is silently ignored by the shell; the module may safely be
removed from ``$MODULE_PATH`` by the administrator if it is not required.

On loading, the module tests if any of the start-up files ``.zshenv``,
``.zprofile``, ``.zshrc`` or ``.zlogin`` exist in the directory given by
the environment variable ``ZDOTDIR``, or the user's home directory if that
is not set.  The test is not performed and the module halts processing if
the shell was in an emulation mode (i.e. had been invoked as some other
shell than zsh).

If none of the start-up files were found, the module then looks for the
file ``newuser`` first in a sitewide directory, usually the parent
directory of the ``site-functions`` directory, and if that is not found the
module searches in a version-specific directory, usually the parent of the
``functions`` directory containing version-specific functions.  (These
directories can be configured when zsh is built using the
``--enable-site-scriptdir=``:var:`dir` and ``--enable-scriptdir=``:var:`dir`
flags to ``configure``, respectively; the defaults are
:var:`prefix`\ ``/share/zsh`` and :var:`prefix`\ ``/share/zsh/$ZSH_VERSION`` where
the default :var:`prefix` is ``/usr/local``.)

If the file ``newuser`` is found, it is then sourced in the same manner as
a start-up file.  The file is expected to contain code to install start-up
files for the user, however any valid shell code will be executed.

The ``zsh/newuser`` module is then unconditionally unloaded.

Note that it is possible to achieve exactly the same effect as the
``zsh/newuser`` module by adding code to ``/etc/zshenv``.  The module
exists simply to allow the shell to make arrangements for new users without
the need for intervention by package maintainers and system administrators.

The script supplied with the module invokes the shell function
``zsh-newuser-install``.  This may be invoked directly by the user
even if the ``zsh/newuser`` module is disabled.  Note, however, that
if the module is not installed the function will not be installed either.
The function is documented in
:zshsectref:`User Configuration Functions <zshcontrib>`.
