diff --git a/add-sftp.sh b/add-sftp.sh
index 60860c5..c89662b 100644
--- a/add-sftp.sh
+++ b/add-sftp.sh
@@ -24,9 +24,14 @@ log_debug() {
     fi
 }
 
-# Generate random username
-generate_username() {
-    echo "user$(shuf -i 10000-99999 -n 1)"
+# Validate username format
+validate_username() {
+    local username=$1
+    if ! [[ "$username" =~ ^[a-zA-Z0-9_]{3,32}$ ]]; then
+        log_error "Invalid username format: $username"
+        return 1
+    fi
+    return 0
 }
 
 USERNAME=$1
@@ -35,11 +40,17 @@ SSH_ENABLED=$3
 
 log "Script started"
 
-# Check if user already exists, if yes generate a new one
-while id "$USERNAME" &>/dev/null; do
-    USERNAME=$(generate_username)
-    log_warning "Username $USERNAME already exists, generating a new username."
-done
+# Validate username
+if ! validate_username "$USERNAME"; then
+    log_error "Invalid username format. Username must be 3-32 characters long and contain only letters, numbers, and underscores."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Check if user already exists
+if id "$USERNAME" &>/dev/null; then
+    log_error "Username $USERNAME already exists. Please choose a different username."
+    exit 1
+fi
 
 USER_HOME="/home/sftpusers/$USERNAME"
 ROOT_DIRECTORY="/var/www/webroot/ROOT"
diff --git a/manifest.jps b/manifest.jps
index 4701643..5a1d387 100644
--- a/manifest.jps
+++ b/manifest.jps
@@ -16,6 +16,13 @@ settings:
       caption: Root Directory /var/www/webroot/ROOT/
       description: "A user-specific directory will be created under /home/username"
       required: false  
+    - type: textfield
+      name: username
+      caption: SFTP Username
+      description: "Enter the desired username (3-32 characters, letters, numbers, and underscores only)"
+      required: true
+      regex: ^[a-zA-Z0-9_]{3,32}$
+      regexText: "Username must be 3-32 characters long and contain only letters, numbers, and underscores"
     - type: checkbox
       name: allow
       caption: Accept User Creation
@@ -60,7 +67,7 @@ settings:
       
 
 globals:
-  username: "user${fn.random(10000,99999)}"
+  username: ${settings.username}
   password: ${fn.password(min)}
   sftpHost: ${env.domain}
   sftpPort: 22