refdb-mode uses two different accounts for the regular reference management commands on the one hand and for the administrative commands on the other hand. The latter are all in the Administration submenu. refdb-mode will automatically use the appropriate username and password if your client configuration files for refdbc (regular commands) and refdba (administrative commands) are set up properly.

Some administrative commands require root permissions. To this end, refdb-mode will run sudo. You or your site administrator will have to set up an appropriate sudoers file which will allow you to run commands as root, see sudo(8). refdb-mode will ask you for your sudoers password whenever it is required.