users.sls

{% for user, args in salt['pillar.get']('ssh:users', {}).iteritems() -%}

# This will end in a short declaration if nothing is given manually
# in a SLS. I want to define default values here.

# What would be the "way to go" for setting default values?
# Something like {% set args['shell'] = '/bin/bash' if 'shell' not in args %} for each line? 


{{ user }}:
  user.present:
    {% if 'shell' in args -%}
    - shell: {{ args['shell'] }}
    {% endif -%}
    {% if 'home' in args -%}
    - home: {{ args['home'] }}
    - createhome: True
    {% endif -%}

  {% if 'groups' in args %}
    - groups: {{ args['groups'] }}
  {% endif %}
{% enfor %}