apt-clone

Clone the package state of the current system into a specified directory

$ apt-clone clone [path/to/directory]

$ apt-clone clone --destination [path/to/backup.tar.gz]

$ apt-clone restore [path/to/backup.tar.gz]

$ apt-clone info [path/to/backup.tar.gz]

$ apt-clone restore [path/to/backup.tar.gz] --destination [path/to/restore]

apt-clone save [options...] clone-file.tar.gz
apt-clone restore [options...] clone-file.tar.gz

-d, --destdir=DIR
    Destination directory for clone file (default: /var/spool/apt-clone/)

-s, --source-only
    Clone only APT sources, skip packages

--help, -h
    Show help message

--version
    Display version information

-q, --quiet
    Reduce output verbosity

--skip-running
    Skip if another APT/DPKG process is running (restore only)

--no-update
    Skip apt-get update before restore

--allow-unauthenticated
    Allow unauthenticated packages during restore

--simulate, -S
    Simulate actions without changes (restore only)

apt-clone is a utility for Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu, used to backup and restore the complete APT package manager state. It captures installed packages, package selections, repositories from /etc/apt/sources.list and /etc/apt/sources.list.d/, GPG keys, preferences, and held packages into a compressed tarball. This allows seamless replication of software environments across identical systems, ideal for server provisioning, VM cloning, or quick recovery.

In save mode, it reads from /var/lib/dpkg/status and related files, excluding user data or configs. The restore mode updates repositories, simulates package changes, holds extraneous packages, and installs missing ones via apt-get. It ensures architecture and release compatibility, preserving exact versions where possible.

Requires root access and matching distro versions for best results. Handles pinned and auto-installed flags accurately, minimizing reconfiguration time.

Must run as root. Assumes same distro release/architecture; mismatches cause failures. Does not clone /etc configs or user data. Tarball may be large for many packages.

sudo apt-clone save ~/backup.tar.gz
Transfer file, then on target: sudo apt-clone restore ~/backup.tar.gz
System will update repos and install matching packages.

sudo apt-clone save -s ~/sources.tar.gz
Clones repositories/keys without packages; useful for repo syncing.

Developed by Stefano Zacchiroli around 2008 for Debian/Ubuntu. Packaged in apt-clone since Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty). Maintained in Debian repos; latest versions improve key handling and multi-arch support.

apt-get(8), dpkg(1), apt(8), debootstrap(8)