Where Does systemd-homed Store Users?
systemd-homed user records and home directories on Linux, JSON records plus LUKS images.
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systemd-homed keeps portable home directories with JSON user records. Storage backends include LUKS images, directories and subvolumes under /home. Records can travel with the home itself.
Traditional /etc/passwd entries stay for compatibility, but homed is authoritative when enabled. Copying raw images without records strands the data. Manage both through homectl.
Where Linux stores this, by platform
/var/lib/systemd/home/*.home
Holds .home images and records. Use homectl list, inspect and update. Keep LUKS passwords separate from image backups.
Frequently asked questions
How do I create a homed user?
Use homectl create with storage=luks or directory, then homectl activate. The record stores quota and keys. Back up the JSON record alongside the image.
Where do I debug homed login failures?
Inspect /var/lib/systemd/home/ for .home files and mount state. Use homectl inspect for the JSON record. Logs through journalctl show unlock failures.
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