The Proper Way to Change the VISUDO Editor on Ubuntu and Debian

When managing a Linux system, there are times when you may need to modify the /etc/sudoers file to adjust user privileges. However, editing this file incorrectly can lock you out of your administrative privileges or cause serious system issues.

The safest way to edit the /etc/sudoers file is by using the visudo command, which prevents syntax errors and file corruption.

By default, visudo uses the system’s default text editor (often Vim), but you can change this to an editor you prefer. Below, we’ll show you how to safely change the visudo editor on Ubuntu and Debian.

How to Change the VISUDO Editor

The editor used by visudo is determined by environment variables, in the following order of precedence:

SUDO_EDITOR
VISUAL
EDITOR

To change the editor, you can set any of these variables to point to the desired text editor. Here are examples of how to set some popular editors:

Configuring visudo to Use Popular Text Editors

1. Vim

To set Vim as the editor for visudo, run the following command:

$ export SUDO_EDITOR="/usr/bin/vim"

How to Make the Setting Persistent:

To ensure that this setting is applied every time you open a terminal session, add the command to your shell configuration file:

$ echo 'SUDO_EDITOR="/usr/bin/vim"' >> ~/.bashrc

Then, reload the shell configuration by running:

$ source ~/.bashrc

2. Nano

If you prefer Nano, which is often considered easier for beginners, use the following:

$ export SUDO_EDITOR="/usr/bin/nano"

How to Make the Setting Persistent:

Add the setting to your shell configuration file:

$ echo 'SUDO_EDITOR="/usr/bin/nano"' >> ~/.bashrc

Reload the configuration:

$ source ~/.bashrc

3. JOE (Joe’s Own Editor)

To set JOE as the editor:

$ export SUDO_EDITOR="/usr/bin/joe"

How to Make the Setting Persistent:

Add the setting to your shell configuration:

$ echo 'SUDO_EDITOR="/usr/bin/joe"' >> ~/.bashrc

Reload with:

$ source ~/.bashrc

4. Emacs

For Emacs users:

$ export SUDO_EDITOR="/usr/bin/emacs"

How to Make the Setting Persistent:

Persist the setting by adding it to the configuration file:

$ echo 'SUDO_EDITOR="/usr/bin/emacs"' >> ~/.bashrc

Then reload:

$ source ~/.bashrc

Persistent Configuration for Different Shells

If you’re using a shell other than Bash, you’ll need to modify the appropriate configuration file:

For Zsh: Add the line to ~/.zshrc.
For Ksh: Add the line to ~/.kshrc.

Why Use visudo Instead of Editing /etc/sudoers Directly?

Editing /etc/sudoers directly with a text editor can lead to syntax errors that might lock you out of your system. The visudo command prevents this by:

Checking Syntax: Before saving, visudo performs a syntax check and alerts you if there are any errors. This is crucial because even a small syntax error, such as a misplaced comma or an incorrectly formatted entry, can render the system unusable by disabling administrative privileges.
File Locking: visudo locks the /etc/sudoers file to prevent simultaneous edits by multiple users, reducing the risk of file corruption. This ensures that only one user can make changes at a time, minimizing potential conflicts and preserving file integrity.

By using visudo, you add an extra layer of protection that helps prevent accidental misconfigurations. This is especially important on multi-user systems, where multiple administrators might need to make changes to the sudoers file. Without file locking, simultaneous edits could cause overwrites or inconsistencies, leading to a corrupted configuration.

Additionally, visudo enforces best practices when modifying /etc/sudoers. It guides users through the editing process with helpful warnings and safeguards, making it a safer option for both novice and experienced administrators.

Whether you’re adding specific user permissions or configuring command aliases, using visudo helps ensure that your changes are implemented correctly and without compromising system security.

Conclusion

Changing the visudo editor on Ubuntu and Debian is a straightforward process that can improve your workflow by allowing you to use your preferred text editor.

Whether you prefer Vim, Nano, Emacs, or JOE, following the steps outlined above will ensure that you can safely and efficiently edit the /etc/sudoers file without risking system errors. Remember to make the setting persistent by adding the configuration to your shell’s startup file and reloading it to apply the changes.

This process also highlights the importance of using the visudo command instead of directly editing /etc/sudoers. By relying on the safeguards provided by visudo, you reduce the risk of syntax errors that could lock you out of essential administrative privileges.

Finally, Linux is all about customization and flexibility, and configuring your visudo editor is just one of the many ways to tailor your experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, taking control of your environment and making small changes like this can lead to a more efficient and personalized workflow.