How to change user on UbuntuServer

Question

Why when I try to switch user, my console change name from this (%username%@laba2docker) to this ($). I don't have autocomplete in this mode. How can i fix it?

Is `admin`'s login shell something other than `bash` (perhaps `/bin/sh`?) — steeldriver, Oct 01 '22 at 13:08
Use `echo $SHELL` from the `admin` account and/or `getent passwd admin` from any account (login shell is in the last field) — steeldriver, Oct 01 '22 at 13:38

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 01 '22 at 16:11

The "fancy" prompt and completion are features of the shell - it looks like your regular user is using bash whereas you are getting a simpler shell (most likely dash, as the default /bin/sh) when switched to the admin user.

By default, the utli-linux implementation of the su command selects the shell to use according to the following rules (from man su):

       •   the shell specified with --shell

       •   the shell specified in the environment variable SHELL, if the
           --preserve-environment option is used

       •   the shell listed in the passwd entry of the target user

       •   /bin/sh

Since you didn't specify a shell with --shell or use the --preserve-environment option, it is likely that the admin user's login shell is either set to /bin/sh or not set at all - you can use the chsh utility to set or change it:

chsh -s /bin/bash from the admin account
sudo chsh -s /bin/bash admin from another user account with suitable sudo privileges

See also Arrow keys, Home, End, tab-complete keys not working in shell

How to change user on UbuntuServer

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