apport-bug

Report a bug about the whole system

$ apport-bug

$ apport-bug [package]

$ apport-bug [path/to/executable]

$ apport-bug [PID]

apport-bug [options] [package|pid|core-file]

-p PID, --pid=PID
    Report crash of running process PID; suspends it temporarily for data collection.

-c CORE, --crash-file=CORE
    Report crash from core dump file CORE.

-f FILE, --file=FILE
    Attach additional file FILE to the report.

--save-only
    Collect data and save report locally; skip Launchpad submission dialog.

-o FILE, --output=FILE
    Write collected report to FILE instead of stdin/stdout.

--no-compression
    Skip compression of core dumps (default: gzip).

--list-categories
    List all known bug report categories.

apport-bug is a command-line utility in Ubuntu Linux for submitting detailed bug reports, especially application crashes, to Launchpad. Part of the Apport (Automatic Problem Report Tracker) system, it automates collecting diagnostic data like core dumps, stack traces, system logs, hardware info, package lists, and config files.

This ensures developers receive reproducible, complete reports. Invoke it with a package name for general bugs or a PID/core for crashes. It suspends crashing processes if needed, compresses data, and launches a browser to Launchpad with a pre-filled form for review/submission.

Ideal for users hitting crashes; Apport hooks detect them automatically too. Integrates with whoopsie for anonymous uploads. Non-Ubuntu use possible but Launchpad-focused.

Enhances bug triaging; reports include ProcMaps, registers, DMI data. Users edit before posting.

Ubuntu/Debian-specific; requires Apport installed/enabled. Needs internet for Launchpad. Crashes must be apport-compatible. Not for security issues.

First arg is package name (e.g. apport-bug firefox). Auto-detected if run from crashing app. Edit report before submitting.

apport-bug --pid 1234
Report live crash.

apport-bug --save-only package
Save report to PACKAGE.apport.

Developed by Martin Pitt for Ubuntu; debuted in 8.04 (2008). Evolved with Apport for automated, structured reporting to reduce invalid Launchpad bugs.

ubuntu-bug(1), apport(8), apport-retrace(1), whoopsie(8)