Ubuntu useradd command causes 30s+ hang

[rsyring]

Description

Example action: https://github.com/level12/coppy/actions/runs/17875750479/job/50836922327

Note that the "Add Ubuntu User" step takes 38s. That same command is instant on my local Ubuntu 24.04 system.

Platforms affected

• Azure DevOps
• GitHub Actions - Standard Runners
• GitHub Actions - Larger Runners

Runner images affected

• Ubuntu 22.04
• Ubuntu 24.04
• macOS 13
• macOS 13 Arm64
• macOS 14
• macOS 14 Arm64
• macOS 15
• macOS 15 Arm64
• macOS 26 Arm64
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2022
• Windows Server 2025

Image version and build link

Image: ubuntu-24.04
Version: 20250907.24.1

Is it regression?

Unsure

Expected behavior

The command to execute almost instantly

Actual behavior

The command hangs for 30+ seconds

Repro steps

Reproduce with: https://github.com/rsyring/gh-action-runner-debug/blob/main/.github/workflows/debug-sudo.yaml

EDIT: I've seen this delay vary from 20s to about 90s.

[hemanthmanga]

Hi @rsyring, Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. We will look into this issue and will update you after investigation.

[shamil-mubarakshin]

Hey @rsyring, this is related to preconfigured /etc/skel on the runners, e.g. for new user on ubuntu-24.04 default home will be roughly 700M.
Contents of /etc/skel are unlikely to change, so as a workaround, depending on your useradd use case, partial /etc/skel cleanup or custom made /etc/skel dir might be an option. Cleanup example, where useradd is within seconds:

- name: Cleanup skel folder
  run: |
    sudo rm -rf /etc/skel/.cargo
    sudo rm -rf /etc/skel/.composer
    sudo rm -rf /etc/skel/.dotnet
    sudo rm -rf /etc/skel/.ghcup
    sudo rm -rf /etc/skel/.nvm
    sudo rm -rf /etc/skel/.rustup
    sudo du -sh /etc/skel