Posted in Magento2

Magento 2 CLI Guide: Easily Add, Update, or Unlock Admin Users

Estimated read time 3 min read

If you’re working with Magento 2, there are times when you need to manage admin users directly from the command line — especially if you’re locked out of the admin panel or working on a staging site. Fortunately, Magento 2’s CLI tools make user management fast and efficient.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create, reset, and unlock Magento 2 admin users using CLI commands, so you can get back to work in no time.

⚙️ Prerequisites

Make sure:

  • You have SSH access to your Magento 2 server.
  • The Magento installation is working and the CLI (bin/magento) is accessible.
  • You have sufficient file system permissions to run terminal commands.

👤 1. Create a New Admin User via CLI

Use the following command to create a new admin user

bin/magento admin:user:create 
  --admin-user='newadmin' 
  --admin-password='Password123' 
  --admin-email='admin@example.com' 
  --admin-firstname='Admin' 
  --admin-lastname='User'

🔐 Password Tip: Magento requires strong passwords. Use at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character.

This command creates a brand-new admin account that you can use to log in instantly.

🔁 2. Reset Password for an Existing Admin User

If you forgot the password or need to reset access for another user, you can quickly update the password from the terminal:

bin/magento admin:user:password-reset --admin-user='newadmin'

You’ll be prompted to enter a new password. Once updated, the user can log in immediately.

🔓 3. Unlock a Locked Admin User

Magento automatically locks accounts after too many failed login attempts. You don’t have to wait — you can unlock the account via CLI:

bin/magento admin:user:unlock newadmin

❌ Deleting an Admin User

Magento 2 does not provide a CLI command to delete an admin user.
To remove an admin user, you’ll need to run a SQL query directly on the database:

DELETE FROM admin_user WHERE username = 'your_admin_username';

⚠️ Note: Always back up your database before running direct SQL commands.

🧠 Why Use CLI for Admin Tasks?

Using the CLI to manage admin users can save time, especially when:

  • You’re locked out of the admin panel.
  • The site is under maintenance.
  • You’re working in a headless or SSH-only environment.
  • Automating Magento tasks with deployment scripts or Docker containers.

🛠 Bonus: List All CLI Commands

Want to explore more Magento 2 commands? Run:

bin/magento list

This will display all available CLI tools, grouped by category.

🏁 Conclusion

Magento 2’s CLI is a powerful tool for developers and sysadmins. Whether you’re creating a new user, resetting a password, or unlocking access, these commands help you avoid downtime and regain control of your admin panel quickly.

By mastering a few simple lines in the terminal, you can handle urgent admin tasks confidently — without logging into the backend UI at all.

Related