diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 75864db..fc3ea0c 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -16,6 +16,11 @@ members = [
     "src/shadow-core",
     "src/uu/passwd",
     "src/uu/pwck",
+    "src/uu/useradd",
+    "src/uu/userdel",
+    "src/uu/usermod",
+    "src/uu/chpasswd",
+    "src/uu/chage",
 ]
 
 [workspace.package]
@@ -53,16 +58,28 @@ tempfile = "3"
 # Tool crates (optional, enabled by features)
 passwd = { optional = true, version = "0.0.1", package = "uu_passwd", path = "src/uu/passwd" }
 pwck = { optional = true, version = "0.0.1", package = "uu_pwck", path = "src/uu/pwck" }
+useradd = { optional = true, version = "0.0.1", package = "uu_useradd", path = "src/uu/useradd" }
+userdel = { optional = true, version = "0.0.1", package = "uu_userdel", path = "src/uu/userdel" }
+usermod = { optional = true, version = "0.0.1", package = "uu_usermod", path = "src/uu/usermod" }
+chpasswd = { optional = true, version = "0.0.1", package = "uu_chpasswd", path = "src/uu/chpasswd" }
+chage = { optional = true, version = "0.0.1", package = "uu_chage", path = "src/uu/chage" }
 
 [features]
-default = ["passwd", "pwck"]
+default = ["passwd", "pwck", "useradd", "userdel", "usermod", "chpasswd", "chage"]
 
 # Individual tools
 feat_passwd = ["passwd"]
 feat_pwck = ["pwck"]
+feat_useradd = ["useradd"]
+feat_userdel = ["userdel"]
+feat_usermod = ["usermod"]
+feat_chpasswd = ["chpasswd"]
+feat_chage = ["chage"]
 
-# Grouped features (add tools as implemented)
-feat_common = ["feat_passwd", "feat_pwck"]
+# Grouped features
+feat_phase1 = ["feat_passwd", "feat_pwck"]
+feat_phase2 = ["feat_useradd", "feat_userdel", "feat_usermod", "feat_chpasswd", "feat_chage"]
+feat_common = ["feat_phase1", "feat_phase2"]
 
 [[bin]]
 name = "shadow-rs"
diff --git a/src/shadow-core/src/gshadow.rs b/src/shadow-core/src/gshadow.rs
index 8d6986d..98ffc5d 100644
--- a/src/shadow-core/src/gshadow.rs
+++ b/src/shadow-core/src/gshadow.rs
@@ -5,3 +5,263 @@
 // spell-checker:ignore gshadow
 
 //! Parser and writer for `/etc/gshadow`.
+//!
+//! File format (man 5 gshadow):
+//! ```text
+//! groupname:password:admins:members
+//! ```
+//!
+//! `admins` and `members` are comma-separated lists of usernames.
+
+use std::fmt;
+use std::io::{self, BufRead, Write};
+use std::path::Path;
+use std::str::FromStr;
+
+use crate::error::ShadowError;
+
+/// A single entry from `/etc/gshadow`.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Default)]
+pub struct GshadowEntry {
+    /// Group name (must match an `/etc/group` entry).
+    pub name: String,
+    /// Encrypted group password (or `!`/`*` for no group password).
+    pub passwd: String,
+    /// Comma-separated list of group administrators.
+    pub admins: Vec<String>,
+    /// Comma-separated list of group members.
+    pub members: Vec<String>,
+}
+
+impl fmt::Display for GshadowEntry {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        write!(
+            f,
+            "{}:{}:{}:{}",
+            self.name,
+            self.passwd,
+            self.admins.join(","),
+            self.members.join(",")
+        )
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromStr for GshadowEntry {
+    type Err = ShadowError;
+
+    fn from_str(line: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        let mut fields = line.splitn(5, ':');
+
+        let name = fields
+            .next()
+            .ok_or_else(|| ShadowError::Parse("missing gshadow group name".into()))?;
+        let passwd = fields
+            .next()
+            .ok_or_else(|| ShadowError::Parse("missing gshadow password".into()))?;
+        let admins_str = fields
+            .next()
+            .ok_or_else(|| ShadowError::Parse("missing gshadow admins".into()))?;
+        let members_str = fields
+            .next()
+            .ok_or_else(|| ShadowError::Parse("missing gshadow members".into()))?;
+
+        if fields.next().is_some() {
+            return Err(ShadowError::Parse(
+                "too many fields in gshadow entry".into(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        let admins = if admins_str.is_empty() {
+            Vec::new()
+        } else {
+            admins_str.split(',').map(ToString::to_string).collect()
+        };
+
+        let members = if members_str.is_empty() {
+            Vec::new()
+        } else {
+            members_str.split(',').map(ToString::to_string).collect()
+        };
+
+        Ok(Self {
+            name: name.to_string(),
+            passwd: passwd.to_string(),
+            admins,
+            members,
+        })
+    }
+}
+
+/// Read all entries from an `/etc/gshadow`-formatted file.
+///
+/// Skips blank lines and lines starting with `#`.
+///
+/// # Errors
+///
+/// Returns `ShadowError` if the file cannot be opened or contains malformed entries.
+pub fn read_gshadow_file(path: &Path) -> Result<Vec<GshadowEntry>, ShadowError> {
+    let file = std::fs::File::open(path).map_err(|e| ShadowError::IoPath(e, path.to_owned()))?;
+    let reader = io::BufReader::new(file);
+    let mut entries = Vec::new();
+
+    for line in reader.lines() {
+        let line = line?;
+        let trimmed = line.trim_start();
+        if trimmed.is_empty() || trimmed.starts_with('#') {
+            continue;
+        }
+        entries.push(line.parse()?);
+    }
+
+    Ok(entries)
+}
+
+/// Write entries to an `/etc/gshadow`-formatted file.
+///
+/// # Errors
+///
+/// Returns `ShadowError` on I/O write failure.
+pub fn write_gshadow<W: Write>(entries: &[GshadowEntry], mut writer: W) -> Result<(), ShadowError> {
+    for entry in entries {
+        writeln!(writer, "{entry}")?;
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_valid_entry() {
+        let entry: GshadowEntry = "root:*::".parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entry.name, "root");
+        assert_eq!(entry.passwd, "*");
+        assert!(entry.admins.is_empty());
+        assert!(entry.members.is_empty());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_with_admins_and_members() {
+        let entry: GshadowEntry = "sudo:!:alice,bob:alice,bob,charlie".parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entry.name, "sudo");
+        assert_eq!(entry.passwd, "!");
+        assert_eq!(entry.admins, vec!["alice", "bob"]);
+        assert_eq!(entry.members, vec!["alice", "bob", "charlie"]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_admins_only() {
+        let entry: GshadowEntry = "wheel:!:root:".parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entry.admins, vec!["root"]);
+        assert!(entry.members.is_empty());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_members_only() {
+        let entry: GshadowEntry = "docker:!::deploy,ci".parse().unwrap();
+        assert!(entry.admins.is_empty());
+        assert_eq!(entry.members, vec!["deploy", "ci"]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_roundtrip() {
+        let line = "sudo:!:alice,bob:alice,bob,charlie";
+        let entry: GshadowEntry = line.parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entry.to_string(), line);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_roundtrip_empty_lists() {
+        let line = "root:*::";
+        let entry: GshadowEntry = line.parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entry.to_string(), line);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_too_few_fields() {
+        assert!("root:*:".parse::<GshadowEntry>().is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_too_many_fields() {
+        assert!("root:*:::extra".parse::<GshadowEntry>().is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_write_read_roundtrip_file() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("gshadow");
+
+        let entries = vec![
+            GshadowEntry {
+                name: "root".into(),
+                passwd: "*".into(),
+                admins: vec![],
+                members: vec![],
+            },
+            GshadowEntry {
+                name: "sudo".into(),
+                passwd: "!".into(),
+                admins: vec!["alice".into()],
+                members: vec!["alice".into(), "bob".into()],
+            },
+        ];
+
+        let file = std::fs::File::create(&path).unwrap();
+        write_gshadow(&entries, file).unwrap();
+
+        let read_back = read_gshadow_file(&path).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entries, read_back);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_empty_file() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("gshadow");
+        std::fs::write(&path, "").unwrap();
+        let entries = read_gshadow_file(&path).unwrap();
+        assert!(entries.is_empty());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_comments_and_blanks_skipped() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("gshadow");
+        std::fs::write(
+            &path,
+            "# comment\n\nroot:*::\n# another\nsudo:!:admin:alice\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        let entries = read_gshadow_file(&path).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entries.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(entries[0].name, "root");
+        assert_eq!(entries[1].name, "sudo");
+    }
+
+    use proptest::prelude::*;
+
+    fn arb_gshadow_entry() -> impl Strategy<Value = GshadowEntry> {
+        (
+            "[a-z_][a-z0-9_-]{0,31}",
+            "(\\*|!|!!|\\$6\\$[a-z]{4})",
+            proptest::collection::vec("[a-z_][a-z0-9_]{0,15}", 0..5),
+            proptest::collection::vec("[a-z_][a-z0-9_]{0,15}", 0..5),
+        )
+            .prop_map(|(name, passwd, admins, members)| GshadowEntry {
+                name,
+                passwd,
+                admins,
+                members,
+            })
+    }
+
+    proptest! {
+        #[test]
+        fn test_gshadow_roundtrip(entry in arb_gshadow_entry()) {
+            let line = entry.to_string();
+            let parsed: GshadowEntry = line.parse().unwrap();
+            prop_assert_eq!(parsed, entry);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/shadow-core/src/lib.rs b/src/shadow-core/src/lib.rs
index 056adc8..13fc466 100644
--- a/src/shadow-core/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/shadow-core/src/lib.rs
@@ -36,5 +36,8 @@ pub mod selinux;
 pub mod atomic;
 pub mod lock;
 pub mod nscd;
+pub mod skel;
 pub mod sysroot;
+
+#[cfg(all(feature = "group", feature = "login-defs"))]
 pub mod uid_alloc;
diff --git a/src/shadow-core/src/selinux.rs b/src/shadow-core/src/selinux.rs
index 8cb760b..07c1ee7 100644
--- a/src/shadow-core/src/selinux.rs
+++ b/src/shadow-core/src/selinux.rs
@@ -3,4 +3,4 @@
 // For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
 // file that was distributed with this source code.
 
-//! SELinux security context handling for file operations.
+//! `SELinux` security context handling for file operations.
diff --git a/src/shadow-core/src/skel.rs b/src/shadow-core/src/skel.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f1847fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/shadow-core/src/skel.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+// This file is part of the shadow-rs package.
+//
+// For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
+// file that was distributed with this source code.
+
+//! Copy `/etc/skel` directory contents into a new home directory.
+//!
+//! When `useradd -m` creates a home directory, it populates it with
+//! files from the skeleton directory (typically `/etc/skel`).
+
+use std::path::Path;
+
+use crate::error::ShadowError;
+
+/// Recursively copy the skeleton directory into the target home directory.
+///
+/// Sets ownership of all copied files and directories to the given `uid`/`gid`.
+/// Preserves file permissions. Recreates symlinks without following them.
+///
+/// If `skel_dir` does not exist, returns `Ok(())` (nothing to copy).
+///
+/// # Errors
+///
+/// Returns `ShadowError` on I/O failures or if ownership cannot be set.
+pub fn copy_skel(skel_dir: &Path, home_dir: &Path, uid: u32, gid: u32) -> Result<(), ShadowError> {
+    if !skel_dir.exists() {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+
+    copy_dir_recursive(skel_dir, home_dir, uid, gid)
+}
+
+fn copy_dir_recursive(src: &Path, dst: &Path, uid: u32, gid: u32) -> Result<(), ShadowError> {
+    let entries = std::fs::read_dir(src).map_err(|e| ShadowError::IoPath(e, src.to_owned()))?;
+
+    for entry in entries {
+        let entry = entry.map_err(|e| ShadowError::IoPath(e, src.to_owned()))?;
+        let src_path = entry.path();
+        let dst_path = dst.join(entry.file_name());
+        let file_type = entry
+            .file_type()
+            .map_err(|e| ShadowError::IoPath(e, src_path.clone()))?;
+
+        if file_type.is_dir() {
+            std::fs::create_dir_all(&dst_path)
+                .map_err(|e| ShadowError::IoPath(e, dst_path.clone()))?;
+            copy_dir_recursive(&src_path, &dst_path, uid, gid)?;
+        } else if file_type.is_symlink() {
+            let target = std::fs::read_link(&src_path)
+                .map_err(|e| ShadowError::IoPath(e, src_path.clone()))?;
+            std::os::unix::fs::symlink(&target, &dst_path)
+                .map_err(|e| ShadowError::IoPath(e, dst_path.clone()))?;
+        } else {
+            std::fs::copy(&src_path, &dst_path)
+                .map_err(|e| ShadowError::IoPath(e, dst_path.clone()))?;
+        }
+
+        // Set ownership (lchown for symlinks — doesn't follow the target).
+        std::os::unix::fs::lchown(&dst_path, Some(uid), Some(gid))
+            .map_err(|e| ShadowError::IoPath(e, dst_path))?;
+    }
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_nonexistent_skel_is_ok() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let result = copy_skel(
+            &dir.path().join("no-such-skel"),
+            &dir.path().join("home"),
+            1000,
+            1000,
+        );
+        assert!(result.is_ok());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_copy_files() {
+        if !nix::unistd::geteuid().is_root() {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let skel = dir.path().join("skel");
+        let home = dir.path().join("home");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&skel).unwrap();
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&home).unwrap();
+
+        std::fs::write(skel.join(".bashrc"), "# bashrc\n").unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(skel.join(".profile"), "# profile\n").unwrap();
+
+        copy_skel(&skel, &home, 1000, 1000).unwrap();
+
+        assert!(home.join(".bashrc").exists());
+        assert!(home.join(".profile").exists());
+        assert_eq!(
+            std::fs::read_to_string(home.join(".bashrc")).unwrap(),
+            "# bashrc\n"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_copy_subdirectory() {
+        if !nix::unistd::geteuid().is_root() {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let skel = dir.path().join("skel");
+        let home = dir.path().join("home");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(skel.join(".config/subdir")).unwrap();
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&home).unwrap();
+
+        std::fs::write(skel.join(".config/subdir/file.txt"), "content").unwrap();
+
+        copy_skel(&skel, &home, 1000, 1000).unwrap();
+
+        assert!(home.join(".config/subdir/file.txt").exists());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_copy_symlink() {
+        if !nix::unistd::geteuid().is_root() {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let skel = dir.path().join("skel");
+        let home = dir.path().join("home");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&skel).unwrap();
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&home).unwrap();
+
+        std::fs::write(skel.join("real_file"), "data").unwrap();
+        std::os::unix::fs::symlink("real_file", skel.join("link")).unwrap();
+
+        copy_skel(&skel, &home, 1000, 1000).unwrap();
+
+        assert!(home.join("link").exists());
+        let target = std::fs::read_link(home.join("link")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(target.to_str().unwrap(), "real_file");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/shadow-core/src/subid.rs b/src/shadow-core/src/subid.rs
index 6f8460d..1915c0b 100644
--- a/src/shadow-core/src/subid.rs
+++ b/src/shadow-core/src/subid.rs
@@ -4,4 +4,230 @@
 // file that was distributed with this source code.
 // spell-checker:ignore subuid subgid subid
 
-//! Parser for `/etc/subuid` and `/etc/subgid` (subordinate ID ranges).
+//! Parser and writer for `/etc/subuid` and `/etc/subgid` (subordinate ID ranges).
+//!
+//! File format (man 5 subuid / man 5 subgid):
+//! ```text
+//! username:start:count
+//! ```
+//!
+//! Each line grants the named user (or UID) a contiguous block of
+//! subordinate UIDs (or GIDs) starting at `start` with `count` entries.
+//! These ranges are used by `newuidmap` / `newgidmap` for user-namespace
+//! ID mapping (rootless containers).
+
+use std::fmt;
+use std::io::{self, BufRead, Write};
+use std::path::Path;
+use std::str::FromStr;
+
+use crate::error::ShadowError;
+
+/// A single entry from `/etc/subuid` or `/etc/subgid`.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Default)]
+pub struct SubIdEntry {
+    /// Login name (or numeric UID/GID as a string).
+    pub name: String,
+    /// First subordinate ID in the range.
+    pub start: u64,
+    /// Number of subordinate IDs allocated.
+    pub count: u64,
+}
+
+impl fmt::Display for SubIdEntry {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        write!(f, "{}:{}:{}", self.name, self.start, self.count)
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromStr for SubIdEntry {
+    type Err = ShadowError;
+
+    fn from_str(line: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        let mut fields = line.splitn(4, ':');
+
+        let name = fields
+            .next()
+            .ok_or_else(|| ShadowError::Parse("missing subid name".into()))?;
+        let start_str = fields
+            .next()
+            .ok_or_else(|| ShadowError::Parse("missing subid start".into()))?;
+        let count_str = fields
+            .next()
+            .ok_or_else(|| ShadowError::Parse("missing subid count".into()))?;
+
+        if fields.next().is_some() {
+            return Err(ShadowError::Parse("too many fields in subid entry".into()));
+        }
+
+        let start = start_str.parse::<u64>().map_err(|e| {
+            ShadowError::Parse(format!("invalid subid start '{start_str}': {e}").into())
+        })?;
+        let count = count_str.parse::<u64>().map_err(|e| {
+            ShadowError::Parse(format!("invalid subid count '{count_str}': {e}").into())
+        })?;
+
+        Ok(Self {
+            name: name.to_string(),
+            start,
+            count,
+        })
+    }
+}
+
+/// Read all entries from an `/etc/subuid` or `/etc/subgid`-formatted file.
+///
+/// Skips blank lines and lines starting with `#`.
+///
+/// # Errors
+///
+/// Returns `ShadowError` if the file cannot be opened or contains malformed entries.
+pub fn read_subid_file(path: &Path) -> Result<Vec<SubIdEntry>, ShadowError> {
+    let file = std::fs::File::open(path).map_err(|e| ShadowError::IoPath(e, path.to_owned()))?;
+    let reader = io::BufReader::new(file);
+    let mut entries = Vec::new();
+
+    for line in reader.lines() {
+        let line = line?;
+        let trimmed = line.trim_start();
+        if trimmed.is_empty() || trimmed.starts_with('#') {
+            continue;
+        }
+        entries.push(line.parse()?);
+    }
+
+    Ok(entries)
+}
+
+/// Write entries to an `/etc/subuid` or `/etc/subgid`-formatted file.
+///
+/// # Errors
+///
+/// Returns `ShadowError` on I/O write failure.
+pub fn write_subid<W: Write>(entries: &[SubIdEntry], mut writer: W) -> Result<(), ShadowError> {
+    for entry in entries {
+        writeln!(writer, "{entry}")?;
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_valid_entry() {
+        let entry: SubIdEntry = "alice:100000:65536".parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entry.name, "alice");
+        assert_eq!(entry.start, 100_000);
+        assert_eq!(entry.count, 65536);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_numeric_name() {
+        let entry: SubIdEntry = "1000:200000:65536".parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entry.name, "1000");
+        assert_eq!(entry.start, 200_000);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_roundtrip() {
+        let line = "bob:165536:65536";
+        let entry: SubIdEntry = line.parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entry.to_string(), line);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_too_few_fields() {
+        assert!("alice:100000".parse::<SubIdEntry>().is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_too_many_fields() {
+        assert!("alice:100000:65536:extra".parse::<SubIdEntry>().is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_invalid_start() {
+        assert!("alice:abc:65536".parse::<SubIdEntry>().is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_invalid_count() {
+        assert!("alice:100000:xyz".parse::<SubIdEntry>().is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_negative_start() {
+        assert!("alice:-1:65536".parse::<SubIdEntry>().is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_write_read_roundtrip_file() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("subuid");
+
+        let entries = vec![
+            SubIdEntry {
+                name: "alice".into(),
+                start: 100_000,
+                count: 65536,
+            },
+            SubIdEntry {
+                name: "bob".into(),
+                start: 165_536,
+                count: 65536,
+            },
+        ];
+
+        let file = std::fs::File::create(&path).unwrap();
+        write_subid(&entries, file).unwrap();
+
+        let read_back = read_subid_file(&path).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entries, read_back);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_empty_file() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("subuid");
+        std::fs::write(&path, "").unwrap();
+        let entries = read_subid_file(&path).unwrap();
+        assert!(entries.is_empty());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_comments_and_blanks_skipped() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("subuid");
+        std::fs::write(&path, "# subordinate UIDs\n\nalice:100000:65536\n# end\n").unwrap();
+        let entries = read_subid_file(&path).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entries.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(entries[0].name, "alice");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_large_values() {
+        let line = "root:4294967296:4294967296";
+        let entry: SubIdEntry = line.parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(entry.start, 4_294_967_296);
+        assert_eq!(entry.count, 4_294_967_296);
+        assert_eq!(entry.to_string(), line);
+    }
+
+    use proptest::prelude::*;
+
+    fn arb_subid_entry() -> impl Strategy<Value = SubIdEntry> {
+        ("[a-z_][a-z0-9_-]{0,31}", 0u64..1_000_000_000, 1u64..200_000)
+            .prop_map(|(name, start, count)| SubIdEntry { name, start, count })
+    }
+
+    proptest! {
+        #[test]
+        fn test_subid_roundtrip(entry in arb_subid_entry()) {
+            let line = entry.to_string();
+            let parsed: SubIdEntry = line.parse().unwrap();
+            prop_assert_eq!(parsed, entry);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/shadow-core/src/uid_alloc.rs b/src/shadow-core/src/uid_alloc.rs
index babd0fa..ac2849f 100644
--- a/src/shadow-core/src/uid_alloc.rs
+++ b/src/shadow-core/src/uid_alloc.rs
@@ -4,3 +4,244 @@
 // file that was distributed with this source code.
 
 //! UID and GID allocation from ranges defined in `/etc/login.defs`.
+//!
+//! Finds the next available UID or GID by scanning existing entries and
+//! returning the lowest unused value in the configured range. Range
+//! boundaries come from `login.defs` keys (`UID_MIN`, `UID_MAX`,
+//! `SYS_UID_MIN`, `SYS_UID_MAX`, and the GID equivalents).
+//!
+//! Default ranges follow the Debian/upstream convention:
+//! - Regular users: 1000 -- 60000
+//! - System accounts: 101 -- 999
+
+use std::collections::HashSet;
+
+use crate::error::ShadowError;
+use crate::group::GroupEntry;
+use crate::login_defs::LoginDefs;
+use crate::passwd::PasswdEntry;
+
+/// Find the next available UID in the given range.
+///
+/// Scans `existing` entries and returns the lowest UID in `[min, max]`
+/// that is not already in use.
+///
+/// # Errors
+///
+/// Returns `ShadowError::Other` if every UID in the range is taken.
+pub fn next_uid(existing: &[PasswdEntry], min: u32, max: u32) -> Result<u32, ShadowError> {
+    let used: HashSet<u32> = existing.iter().map(|e| e.uid).collect();
+    (min..=max)
+        .find(|uid| !used.contains(uid))
+        .ok_or_else(|| ShadowError::Other(format!("no available UID in range {min}-{max}").into()))
+}
+
+/// Find the next available GID in the given range.
+///
+/// Scans `existing` entries and returns the lowest GID in `[min, max]`
+/// that is not already in use.
+///
+/// # Errors
+///
+/// Returns `ShadowError::Other` if every GID in the range is taken.
+pub fn next_gid(existing: &[GroupEntry], min: u32, max: u32) -> Result<u32, ShadowError> {
+    let used: HashSet<u32> = existing.iter().map(|e| e.gid).collect();
+    (min..=max)
+        .find(|gid| !used.contains(gid))
+        .ok_or_else(|| ShadowError::Other(format!("no available GID in range {min}-{max}").into()))
+}
+
+/// Read a `login.defs` key as `u32`, ignoring negative or overflowing values.
+fn get_u32(defs: &LoginDefs, key: &str) -> Option<u32> {
+    defs.get_i64(key).and_then(|v| u32::try_from(v).ok())
+}
+
+/// Get the UID allocation range from `login.defs`.
+///
+/// Returns `(min, max)`. When `system` is `true`, uses `SYS_UID_MIN` /
+/// `SYS_UID_MAX` (defaults 101 / 999). Otherwise uses `UID_MIN` /
+/// `UID_MAX` (defaults 1000 / 60000).
+#[must_use]
+pub fn uid_range(defs: &LoginDefs, system: bool) -> (u32, u32) {
+    if system {
+        let min = get_u32(defs, "SYS_UID_MIN").unwrap_or(101);
+        let max = get_u32(defs, "SYS_UID_MAX").unwrap_or(999);
+        (min, max)
+    } else {
+        let min = get_u32(defs, "UID_MIN").unwrap_or(1000);
+        let max = get_u32(defs, "UID_MAX").unwrap_or(60000);
+        (min, max)
+    }
+}
+
+/// Get the GID allocation range from `login.defs`.
+///
+/// Returns `(min, max)`. When `system` is `true`, uses `SYS_GID_MIN` /
+/// `SYS_GID_MAX` (defaults 101 / 999). Otherwise uses `GID_MIN` /
+/// `GID_MAX` (defaults 1000 / 60000).
+#[must_use]
+pub fn gid_range(defs: &LoginDefs, system: bool) -> (u32, u32) {
+    if system {
+        let min = get_u32(defs, "SYS_GID_MIN").unwrap_or(101);
+        let max = get_u32(defs, "SYS_GID_MAX").unwrap_or(999);
+        (min, max)
+    } else {
+        let min = get_u32(defs, "GID_MIN").unwrap_or(1000);
+        let max = get_u32(defs, "GID_MAX").unwrap_or(60000);
+        (min, max)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use std::path::Path;
+
+    fn make_passwd_entries(uids: &[u32]) -> Vec<PasswdEntry> {
+        uids.iter()
+            .map(|&uid| PasswdEntry {
+                name: format!("user{uid}"),
+                passwd: "x".into(),
+                uid,
+                gid: uid,
+                gecos: String::new(),
+                home: format!("/home/user{uid}"),
+                shell: "/bin/bash".into(),
+            })
+            .collect()
+    }
+
+    fn make_group_entries(gids: &[u32]) -> Vec<GroupEntry> {
+        gids.iter()
+            .map(|&gid| GroupEntry {
+                name: format!("group{gid}"),
+                passwd: "x".into(),
+                gid,
+                members: vec![],
+            })
+            .collect()
+    }
+
+    // --- next_uid ---
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_next_uid_empty() {
+        let entries: Vec<PasswdEntry> = vec![];
+        assert_eq!(next_uid(&entries, 1000, 1005).unwrap(), 1000);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_next_uid_finds_first_gap() {
+        let entries = make_passwd_entries(&[1000, 1001, 1003]);
+        assert_eq!(next_uid(&entries, 1000, 1005).unwrap(), 1002);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_next_uid_skips_used_start() {
+        let entries = make_passwd_entries(&[1000]);
+        assert_eq!(next_uid(&entries, 1000, 1005).unwrap(), 1001);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_next_uid_exhausted() {
+        let entries = make_passwd_entries(&[100, 101, 102]);
+        let result = next_uid(&entries, 100, 102);
+        assert!(result.is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_next_uid_single_value_range() {
+        let entries: Vec<PasswdEntry> = vec![];
+        assert_eq!(next_uid(&entries, 500, 500).unwrap(), 500);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_next_uid_single_value_range_taken() {
+        let entries = make_passwd_entries(&[500]);
+        assert!(next_uid(&entries, 500, 500).is_err());
+    }
+
+    // --- next_gid ---
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_next_gid_empty() {
+        let entries: Vec<GroupEntry> = vec![];
+        assert_eq!(next_gid(&entries, 1000, 1005).unwrap(), 1000);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_next_gid_finds_first_gap() {
+        let entries = make_group_entries(&[1000, 1002]);
+        assert_eq!(next_gid(&entries, 1000, 1005).unwrap(), 1001);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_next_gid_exhausted() {
+        let entries = make_group_entries(&[10, 11, 12]);
+        assert!(next_gid(&entries, 10, 12).is_err());
+    }
+
+    // --- uid_range ---
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_uid_range_defaults_regular() {
+        let defs = LoginDefs::load(Path::new("/nonexistent/login.defs")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(uid_range(&defs, false), (1000, 60000));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_uid_range_defaults_system() {
+        let defs = LoginDefs::load(Path::new("/nonexistent/login.defs")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(uid_range(&defs, true), (101, 999));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_uid_range_from_login_defs() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("login.defs");
+        std::fs::write(&path, "UID_MIN 500\nUID_MAX 50000\n").unwrap();
+        let defs = LoginDefs::load(&path).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(uid_range(&defs, false), (500, 50000));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_uid_range_system_from_login_defs() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("login.defs");
+        std::fs::write(&path, "SYS_UID_MIN 200\nSYS_UID_MAX 499\n").unwrap();
+        let defs = LoginDefs::load(&path).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(uid_range(&defs, true), (200, 499));
+    }
+
+    // --- gid_range ---
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_gid_range_defaults_regular() {
+        let defs = LoginDefs::load(Path::new("/nonexistent/login.defs")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(gid_range(&defs, false), (1000, 60000));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_gid_range_defaults_system() {
+        let defs = LoginDefs::load(Path::new("/nonexistent/login.defs")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(gid_range(&defs, true), (101, 999));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_gid_range_from_login_defs() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("login.defs");
+        std::fs::write(&path, "GID_MIN 500\nGID_MAX 50000\n").unwrap();
+        let defs = LoginDefs::load(&path).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(gid_range(&defs, false), (500, 50000));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_gid_range_system_from_login_defs() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("login.defs");
+        std::fs::write(&path, "SYS_GID_MIN 200\nSYS_GID_MAX 499\n").unwrap();
+        let defs = LoginDefs::load(&path).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(gid_range(&defs, true), (200, 499));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/uu/chage/Cargo.toml b/src/uu/chage/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72c2d6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/chage/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+[package]
+name = "uu_chage"
+version.workspace = true
+edition.workspace = true
+license.workspace = true
+authors.workspace = true
+repository.workspace = true
+description = "chage command (shadow-rs)"
+
+[lib]
+path = "src/chage.rs"
+
+[[bin]]
+name = "chage"
+path = "src/main.rs"
+
+[dependencies]
+clap = { workspace = true }
+nix = { workspace = true }
+shadow-core = { workspace = true, features = ["shadow", "group", "gshadow", "login-defs", "subid"] }
+uucore = { workspace = true }
+
+[dev-dependencies]
+tempfile = { workspace = true }
+
+[lints]
+workspace = true
diff --git a/src/uu/chage/src/chage.rs b/src/uu/chage/src/chage.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a133b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/chage/src/chage.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+// This file is part of the shadow-rs package.
+//
+// For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
+// file that was distributed with this source code.
+
+//! `chage` — stub (not yet implemented).
+
+use clap::Command;
+use uucore::error::UResult;
+
+#[uucore::main]
+pub fn uumain(args: impl uucore::Args) -> UResult<()> {
+    let _matches = uu_app().try_get_matches_from(args)?;
+    eprintln!("chage: not yet implemented");
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[must_use]
+pub fn uu_app() -> Command {
+    Command::new("chage").about("chage — not yet implemented")
+}
diff --git a/src/uu/chage/src/main.rs b/src/uu/chage/src/main.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2265ded
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/chage/src/main.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+// This file is part of the shadow-rs package.
+//
+// For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
+// file that was distributed with this source code.
+
+uucore::bin!(uu_chage);
diff --git a/src/uu/chpasswd/Cargo.toml b/src/uu/chpasswd/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..96018c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/chpasswd/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+[package]
+name = "uu_chpasswd"
+version.workspace = true
+edition.workspace = true
+license.workspace = true
+authors.workspace = true
+repository.workspace = true
+description = "chpasswd command (shadow-rs)"
+
+[lib]
+path = "src/chpasswd.rs"
+
+[[bin]]
+name = "chpasswd"
+path = "src/main.rs"
+
+[dependencies]
+clap = { workspace = true }
+nix = { workspace = true }
+shadow-core = { workspace = true, features = ["shadow", "group", "gshadow", "login-defs", "subid"] }
+uucore = { workspace = true }
+
+[dev-dependencies]
+tempfile = { workspace = true }
+
+[lints]
+workspace = true
diff --git a/src/uu/chpasswd/src/chpasswd.rs b/src/uu/chpasswd/src/chpasswd.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ea80a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/chpasswd/src/chpasswd.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+// This file is part of the shadow-rs package.
+//
+// For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
+// file that was distributed with this source code.
+
+//! `chpasswd` — stub (not yet implemented).
+
+use clap::Command;
+use uucore::error::UResult;
+
+#[uucore::main]
+pub fn uumain(args: impl uucore::Args) -> UResult<()> {
+    let _matches = uu_app().try_get_matches_from(args)?;
+    eprintln!("chpasswd: not yet implemented");
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[must_use]
+pub fn uu_app() -> Command {
+    Command::new("chpasswd").about("chpasswd — not yet implemented")
+}
diff --git a/src/uu/chpasswd/src/main.rs b/src/uu/chpasswd/src/main.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad8f13d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/chpasswd/src/main.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+// This file is part of the shadow-rs package.
+//
+// For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
+// file that was distributed with this source code.
+
+uucore::bin!(uu_chpasswd);
diff --git a/src/uu/useradd/Cargo.toml b/src/uu/useradd/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50585a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/useradd/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+[package]
+name = "uu_useradd"
+version.workspace = true
+edition.workspace = true
+license.workspace = true
+authors.workspace = true
+repository.workspace = true
+description = "useradd command (shadow-rs)"
+
+[lib]
+path = "src/useradd.rs"
+
+[[bin]]
+name = "useradd"
+path = "src/main.rs"
+
+[dependencies]
+clap = { workspace = true }
+nix = { workspace = true }
+shadow-core = { workspace = true, features = ["shadow", "group", "gshadow", "login-defs", "subid"] }
+uucore = { workspace = true }
+
+[dev-dependencies]
+tempfile = { workspace = true }
+
+[lints]
+workspace = true
diff --git a/src/uu/useradd/src/main.rs b/src/uu/useradd/src/main.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..03fc8b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/useradd/src/main.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+// This file is part of the shadow-rs package.
+//
+// For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
+// file that was distributed with this source code.
+
+uucore::bin!(uu_useradd);
diff --git a/src/uu/useradd/src/useradd.rs b/src/uu/useradd/src/useradd.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ca24519
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/useradd/src/useradd.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+// This file is part of the shadow-rs package.
+//
+// For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
+// file that was distributed with this source code.
+
+//! `useradd` — stub (not yet implemented).
+
+use clap::Command;
+use uucore::error::UResult;
+
+#[uucore::main]
+pub fn uumain(args: impl uucore::Args) -> UResult<()> {
+    let _matches = uu_app().try_get_matches_from(args)?;
+    eprintln!("useradd: not yet implemented");
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[must_use]
+pub fn uu_app() -> Command {
+    Command::new("useradd").about("useradd — not yet implemented")
+}
diff --git a/src/uu/userdel/Cargo.toml b/src/uu/userdel/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30179a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/userdel/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+[package]
+name = "uu_userdel"
+version.workspace = true
+edition.workspace = true
+license.workspace = true
+authors.workspace = true
+repository.workspace = true
+description = "userdel command (shadow-rs)"
+
+[lib]
+path = "src/userdel.rs"
+
+[[bin]]
+name = "userdel"
+path = "src/main.rs"
+
+[dependencies]
+clap = { workspace = true }
+nix = { workspace = true }
+shadow-core = { workspace = true, features = ["shadow", "group", "gshadow", "login-defs", "subid"] }
+uucore = { workspace = true }
+
+[dev-dependencies]
+tempfile = { workspace = true }
+
+[lints]
+workspace = true
diff --git a/src/uu/userdel/src/main.rs b/src/uu/userdel/src/main.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91245c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/userdel/src/main.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+// This file is part of the shadow-rs package.
+//
+// For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
+// file that was distributed with this source code.
+
+uucore::bin!(uu_userdel);
diff --git a/src/uu/userdel/src/userdel.rs b/src/uu/userdel/src/userdel.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0a46caa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/userdel/src/userdel.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+// This file is part of the shadow-rs package.
+//
+// For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
+// file that was distributed with this source code.
+
+//! `userdel` — stub (not yet implemented).
+
+use clap::Command;
+use uucore::error::UResult;
+
+#[uucore::main]
+pub fn uumain(args: impl uucore::Args) -> UResult<()> {
+    let _matches = uu_app().try_get_matches_from(args)?;
+    eprintln!("userdel: not yet implemented");
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[must_use]
+pub fn uu_app() -> Command {
+    Command::new("userdel").about("userdel — not yet implemented")
+}
diff --git a/src/uu/usermod/Cargo.toml b/src/uu/usermod/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e1df2f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/usermod/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+[package]
+name = "uu_usermod"
+version.workspace = true
+edition.workspace = true
+license.workspace = true
+authors.workspace = true
+repository.workspace = true
+description = "usermod command (shadow-rs)"
+
+[lib]
+path = "src/usermod.rs"
+
+[[bin]]
+name = "usermod"
+path = "src/main.rs"
+
+[dependencies]
+clap = { workspace = true }
+nix = { workspace = true }
+shadow-core = { workspace = true, features = ["shadow", "group", "gshadow", "login-defs", "subid"] }
+uucore = { workspace = true }
+
+[dev-dependencies]
+tempfile = { workspace = true }
+
+[lints]
+workspace = true
diff --git a/src/uu/usermod/src/main.rs b/src/uu/usermod/src/main.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..163ba19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/usermod/src/main.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+// This file is part of the shadow-rs package.
+//
+// For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
+// file that was distributed with this source code.
+
+uucore::bin!(uu_usermod);
diff --git a/src/uu/usermod/src/usermod.rs b/src/uu/usermod/src/usermod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1262236
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uu/usermod/src/usermod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+// This file is part of the shadow-rs package.
+//
+// For the full copyright and license information, please view the LICENSE
+// file that was distributed with this source code.
+
+//! `usermod` — stub (not yet implemented).
+
+use clap::Command;
+use uucore::error::UResult;
+
+#[uucore::main]
+pub fn uumain(args: impl uucore::Args) -> UResult<()> {
+    let _matches = uu_app().try_get_matches_from(args)?;
+    eprintln!("usermod: not yet implemented");
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[must_use]
+pub fn uu_app() -> Command {
+    Command::new("usermod").about("usermod — not yet implemented")
+}