tool::chmod-detail
chmod 700
rwx------
Owner-Only Executable
Permission Structure
Owner (User)
✓Read (r)
✓Write (w)
✓Execute (x)
Group
✗Read (r)
✗Write (w)
✗Execute (x)
Others
✗Read (r)
✗Write (w)
✗Execute (x)
Octal
700Symbolic
rwx------Explanation
chmod 700 restricts all access to the owner only — full read, write, and execute — while group and others have zero access. Used to protect SSH directories (~/.ssh), private scripts, and sensitive executables. Ideal when the owner needs to run the file but no one else should read or modify it.
Common Use Cases
- ▸~/.ssh directory (required for SSH connections)
- ▸Personal backup scripts and automation tools
- ▸Deployment scripts that use private keys
- ▸Root-only system administration scripts
- ▸The user's own home directory
Security Considerations
700 is mandatory for the ~/.ssh directory. OpenSSH refuses connections if .ssh has permissions wider than 700. Using 700 on private scripts prevents other users from reading their contents, protecting any embedded secrets.
Command Examples
$ chmod 700 ~/.ssh$ chmod 700 ~/scripts/deploy-prod.sh$ chmod 700 /root/maintenance.sh$ ls -la ~ | grep .ssh # verify permissionsRelated Permissions
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