How to Register New Matrix Users with 'register_new_matrix_user' (with examples)

The register_new_matrix_user command is a tool used to create user accounts within a Matrix home server, even when the server has disabled registration. Matrix is an open standard for decentralized communication, and home servers are essential in its ecosystem. This command is particularly useful for server administrators who need to add users manually when registration is restricted, ensuring a controlled and secure environment.

Create a user interactively

Code:

register_new_matrix_user --config path/to/homeserver.yaml

Motivation:

When running a Matrix home server with user registration disabled, administrators might still need to add users directly. This scenario often arises in situations like setting up an organization-specific communication platform, where user access needs to be tightly controlled and limited to authorized personnel only. By using the command interactively, administrators can ensure that the required user information, like a username and password, is input correctly and manage the process in a more manual yet secure manner.

Explanation:

• register_new_matrix_user: This is the command initiating the process of creating a new Matrix user.
• --config path/to/homeserver.yaml: Specifies the configuration file for the home server. This file contains all necessary settings and information, allowing the command to interact with the server correctly. It typically includes server-specific settings like URLs, ports, and encryption details, customizing the command for the specific server environment.

Example Output:

Upon executing the command, the system may prompt for a username and password. Following successful entry and validation of these credentials, one might see:

> New user Localpart [user]: alice
> Password: ****
> Confirm Password: ****
Successfully registered user alice.

Create an admin user interactively

Code:

register_new_matrix_user --config path/to/homeserver.yaml --admin

Motivation:

Creating admin users is a critical task when setting up administrative roles and permissions within a Matrix home server. Admin users have elevated privileges, allowing them to perform server management tasks such as user suspension, network-wide announcements, and more. This use case is interactive, enabling the administrator to address any discrepancies as they input user information, thus maintaining data accuracy and security.

Explanation:

• register_new_matrix_user: As with regular users, this initiates the process of creating a new user.
• --config path/to/homeserver.yaml: Specifies the necessary configuration settings that dictate how the server responds to the command.
• --admin: This flag designates that the new user being created will have administrative privileges. It elevates the user’s access, allowing them to perform tasks that regular users cannot.

Example Output:

During the interactive process, the system will prompt similar to the regular user creation process. An additional confirmation message might appear to emphasize the user’s elevated access:

> New user Localpart [user]: admin
> Password: ****
> Confirm Password: ****
Admin privileges granted.
Successfully registered user admin with admin rights.

Create an admin user non-interactively (not recommended)

Code:

register_new_matrix_user --config path/to/homeserver.yaml --user username --password password --admin

Motivation:

This approach allows for the automated creation of admin users without manual input, which could be integrated into scripts for batch user generation. However, due to the sensitive nature of directly inputting credentials, this practice is generally advised against. It leaves room for potential security vulnerabilities if credentials are exposed or hard-coded scripts fall into the wrong hands.

Explanation:

• register_new_matrix_user: Initiates the user creation process without awaiting input prompts.
• --config path/to/homeserver.yaml: Provides the configuration details required to register the user correctly.
• --user username: Specifies the intended username for the new admin user. Removing interactive prompts automates user details input.
• --password password: Pre-defines the user’s password instead of prompting for it interactively. This increases speed but may compromise security.
• --admin: Indicates that this new user should have administrative rights, conferring elevated privileges on them as they are created.

Example Output:

The non-interactive process outputs confirmation of user creation with specified roles but lacks the security checks of interactive input verification:

Successfully registered user username with admin rights.

Conclusion:

Registering new users, particularly with administrative rights, should typically involve an interactive process to allow for accurate input and effective verification of credentials. The register_new_matrix_user command provides the flexibility to register users even when server registration is otherwise closed, playing an essential role in maintaining an organized, accessible, yet secure Matrix home server environment.