apport

apport [options] [program [core]]

-f, --force
    Force report even if crashdb ignores it

-p PID, --pid=PID
    PID of crashing process

-c CORE, --core=CORE
    Path to core dump file

-o FILE, --output=FILE
    Save report to file, don't submit

-g, --gui
    Launch graphical user interface

--no-crashdb
    Skip checking crash database

-v, --verbose
    Increase verbosity

-h, --help
    Show help

Apport is Ubuntu's automated crash-handling system, designed to capture detailed diagnostic data when applications crash. It collects stack traces, core dumps, system logs, hardware info, and package versions, packaging them into compressed .crash files in /var/crash. These files enable developers to reproduce and fix bugs efficiently via Launchpad.

The apport command processes crashes interactively or unattended. It reads data from stdin, a core dump, or a process ID (PID), allowing users to review reports before submission. Apport checks a crash database to avoid duplicates and respects privacy by requiring consent for reports. It integrates with whoopsie for optional anonymous uploads.

On boot or manually invoked, apport hooks into kernel oops and user-space crashes via apport-gtk or CLI. Users can disable it via /etc/default/apport. It's lightweight, configurable, and essential for Ubuntu's high-quality bug triage.

Primarily for Ubuntu/Debian; requires apport package. Crash files may contain sensitive data—review before submitting. Not active on servers by default.

Crash storage: /var/crash/*.crash
Config: /etc/default/apport, /etc/apport/crashdb.conf
hooks: /usr/share/apport/checkhooks.d

For bug submission: apport-bug PID or ubuntu-bug program.
Collect more data: sudo apport-collect PID

Developed by Canonical's Ubuntu Desktop Experience team; debuted in Ubuntu 6.10 (2006) to streamline bug reporting. Evolved with whoopsie for auto-reporting; now in apport 2.20+ with retracer improvements.

apport-bug(8), apport-collect(8), apport-retrace(8), whoopsie(8), gdb(1)