Package Management

Essential apt and dpkg commands for installing, updating, removing, and managing Debian packages

Package Installation

apt update

  • Updates package repository cache
  • Run before installing packages

apt install [package]

  • Installs specified package
  • Resolves dependencies automatically

apt install -y [package]

  • Installs without confirmation prompts

dpkg -i [package.deb]

  • Installs local .deb file directly

Package Removal

apt remove [package]

  • Removes package, keeps config files

apt purge [package]

  • Removes package and config files

apt autoremove

  • Removes unused dependencies

Package Information

apt search [term]

  • Searches available packages

apt show [package]

  • Shows detailed package information

dpkg -l

  • Lists all installed packages

dpkg -L [package]

  • Lists files installed by package

System Updates

apt upgrade

  • Upgrades all installed packages

apt full-upgrade

  • Upgrades with dependency changes

apt dist-upgrade

  • Distribution upgrade (legacy)

Repository Management

add-apt-repository [repo]

  • Adds new package repository

apt edit-sources

  • Edits sources.list safely

Verification

apt list --installed

  • Shows installed packages

apt list --upgradable

  • Shows packages with updates

dpkg --verify [package]

  • Verifies package integrity

Example Workflow

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apt update
apt search nginx
apt show nginx
apt install nginx
apt list --installed | grep nginx
apt remove nginx
apt autoremove