Where Is the Linux Login Banner Stored?
Login banners live in motd with dynamic parts assembled from the update-motd directory.
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The message of the day greets every terminal login from a small static file, extended by scripts in an update-motd directory on systems that use them. Static text and generated status share one display.
That split decides where edits go. Fixed notices belong in the static file; system stats belong in a script. Editing generated output directly loses on the next login when the scripts rerun. Keep custom scripts in the directory and the banner stays consistent.
Where Linux stores this, by platform
/etc/motd + /etc/update-motd.d/
Static login banner plus generated scripts beside it. Edit the static file for fixed text; add scripts for dynamic parts that rebuild each login.
Frequently asked questions
How do I customize the login banner?
Edit the static file for fixed text and drop scripts into the update-motd directory for dynamic parts. Static edits survive updates; generated sections rebuild every login.
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