apt-add-repository

View documentation for the original command

$ tldr add-apt-repository

apt-add-repository [options] repository

-h, --help
    Show this help message and exit

-m, --massive-debug
    Print extensive debug information

-y, --yes
    Assume yes to all queries, disable prompts

-k KEYSERVER, --keyserver=KEYSERVER
    Keyserver URL (default: keyserver.ubuntu.com)

-r, --remove
    Remove the specified repository

--list-keys
    List unused GPG keys in the system

--update
    Run apt update after adding repository

--no-update
    Skip apt update after adding (default)

--enable-src
    Enable source code downloads from repo

--disable-src
    Disable source code downloads (default)

apt-add-repository is a command-line utility for Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu, used to add third-party APT repositories and Personal Package Archives (PPAs) to the system's software sources. It automates the process of appending repository entries to /etc/apt/sources.list.d/, fetching and installing GPG signing keys from keyservers, and optionally running apt update.

The tool is essential for installing software from sources beyond official repositories, such as Launchpad PPAs. For PPAs, use the simple syntax ppa:user/ppa; for custom repos, provide a full deb line like deb http://example.com/repo stable main. It handles key import securely but prompts for confirmation unless -y is used.

Part of the software-properties-common package, it requires root privileges (typically via sudo). After adding repos, updating package lists ensures new sources are recognized. Misuse with untrusted repos risks security, as malicious packages could be installed.

Requires sudo for root access. Untrusted repositories pose security risks via malicious packages. Key import may fail if keyserver is unreachable or blocked. Not available on non-Debian systems without equivalent tools.

Add Launchpad PPA with sudo apt-add-repository ppa:username/ppa. Automatically handles distribution codename.

sudo apt-add-repository 'deb https://example.com/repo stable main'
Follow with sudo apt update.

Introduced in Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) as part of python-software-properties to simplify PPA support. Evolved into software-properties-common package. Widely adopted in Debian derivatives for repo management.

apt(8), apt-get(8), apt-key(8), software-properties(8)