Single user rvm needs sudo, and adding users to rvm group

I am following the instructions on the rvm site. First, I tried to install for single users:

$ curl -L | bash -s stable % Total % Received % Xferd Average Speed Time Time Time Current Dload Upload Total Spent Left Speed
100 185 100 185 0 0 35 0 0:00:05 0:00:05 --:--:-- 280
100 9439 100 9439 0 0 1602 0 0:00:05 0:00:05 --:--:-- 30642
mkdir: cannot create directory `/usr/share/ruby-rvm': Permission denied

Are the instructions on the site wrong? Can someone on the rvm team either correct their install file or change the directions?

Then, I tried the multi-user install

$ curl -L | sudo bash -s stable % Total % Received % Xferd Average Speed Time Time Time Current Dload Upload Total Spent Left Speed
100 185 100 185 0 0 36 0 0:00:05 0:00:05 --:--:-- 298
100 9439 100 9439 0 0 864 0 0:00:10 0:00:10 --:--:-- 23192
Downloading RVM from wayneeseguin branch stable % Total % Received % Xferd Average Speed Time Time Time Current Dload Upload Total Spent Left Speed
100 125 100 125 0 0 199 0 --:--:-- --:--:-- --:--:-- 441
100 1046k 100 1046k 0 0 198k 0 0:00:05 0:00:05 --:--:-- 262k
Installing RVM to /usr/share/ruby-rvm/ RVM system user group 'rvm' exists, proceeding with installation.
# RVM: Shell scripts enabling management of multiple ruby environments.
# RTFM:
# HELP: (#rvm on irc.freenode.net)
# Cheatsheet:
# Screencast:
# In case of any issues read output of 'rvm requirements' and/or 'rvm notes'
Installation of RVM in /usr/share/ruby-rvm/ is almost complete: * First you need to add all users that will be using rvm to 'rvm' group, and logout - login again, anyone using rvm will be operating with `umask g+w`. * To start using RVM you need to run `source /etc/profile.d/rvm.sh` in all your open shell windows, in rare cases you need to reopen all shell windows.
# big,
#
# Thank you for using RVM!
# I sincerely hope that RVM helps to make your life easier and more enjoyable!!!
#
# ~Wayne
rvm 1.14.11 (stable) by Wayne E. Seguin <>, Michal Papis <> [

I am a little suspicious because the directions didn't mention anything about adding users. Where are the directions for adding users to the rvm group?

1 Answer

The version of RVM packaged by Ubuntu is old and broken in mysterious ways, you need to read this for details how to fix: