library.rb

module  Domain
  module User



   #
    # takes a string and gets the userdata from couch
    # otherwise retuns whats passed in
    # 
    def get_user(usr=nil)
      if usr.is_a? String
        usr = data_bag_item("users", usr)
      end
      usr
    end

    def remove_user(u)
      user u['id'] do
        action :remove
        supports :manage_home => true
      end
    end

    # 
    #  manage a user on the system
    # 
    def setup_user(u)
      u = get_user(u)
      if u['status'] =~ /remove/
        remove_user(u)
      elsif u['status'] =~ /lock/
      elsif u['status'] =~ /unlock/

      else
        user u['id'] do
          uid      u['uid']
          gid      u['gid'] if u['gid']
          shell    get_shell(u)
          comment  "#{u['comment']}"
          action   [:create, :manage]
          supports :manage_home => true
          home get_home(u)
        end
      end
    end

  end
end

recipe.rb

# if you want to use your module methods in recipe scope you may need to do this
class Chef::Recipe
  include Domain::User
end

# if you want your modue methods in a specific resource you need to mix
class Chef::Resource::User
  include Domain::User
end


# otherwise you can jsut 
include Domain::User

foo = get_user("fred")