aur

Install, manage, and search AUR packages

TLDR

Initialize the repository that matches the path in /etc/pacman.conf

$ repo-add [path/to/database.db.tar.gz]

Search the AUR database for a package

$ aur search [keyword]

Download one or more packages and their dependencies from the AUR, build them, and add them to a local repository

$ aur sync [package1 package2 ...]

List packages available in your local repository

$ aur repo [[-l|--list]]

Upgrade local repository packages

$ aur sync [[-u|--upgrades]]

Clean build files after install

$ aur sync [[-C|--clean]] [package]

Install a package without viewing changes in Vim and do not confirm dependency installation

$ aur sync --noview [[-n|--noconfirm]] [package]

Remove a package form the repository metadata (does not remove the package file itself)

$ repo-remove [path/to/database.db.tar.gz] [package]

SYNOPSIS

aur [-S|--sync] [-Q|--query] [-R|--remove] [-Sw|--sync dep] [options] [pkg...]

-S, --sync
    Install/sync packages from AUR (builds PKGBUILDs)

-Syu, --sync --sysupgrade
    Full system upgrade (official + AUR repos)

-Qs, --query search
    Search AUR packages by name/description

-Si, --info
    Show detailed info for AUR package

-Sw, --sync --needed --no-upgrade
    Download PKGBUILDs without building

-R, --remove
    Remove installed AUR packages

--aur
    Limit operations to AUR (some helpers)

-c, --clean
    Clean build dependencies after install

--bottom-up
    Build dependencies bottom-up (avoids partial fails)

-m, --mflags
    Pass makepkg flags (e.g., -m "--skippgpcheck")

DESCRIPTION

The aur command typically refers to unofficial helper tools for the Arch User Repository (AUR) on Arch Linux and derivatives. AUR is a community-driven collection of PKGBUILD recipes for building packages from source, extending beyond official repos.

No official aur binary exists in Arch Linux; users rely on third-party AUR helpers mimicking pacman syntax. These tools handle searching AUR, downloading PKGBUILDs via git, resolving dependencies (including splitting binary/AUR deps), building with makepkg, and installing. Popular helpers include yay (Go-based, full-featured), paru (Rust, AUR-focused), and aurutils (bash scripts, lightweight).

Helpers streamline workflows but require caution: AUR packages are unvetted, potentially malicious. Always review PKGBUILDs and sources before building. Common use cases: installing niche software unavailable in official repos, like custom kernels or bleeding-edge apps.

Syntax varies slightly by helper, but most emulate pacman for familiarity.

CAVEATS

No official aur command exists; syntax varies by helper (e.g., yay, paru). AUR packages are user-maintained: review PKGBUILDs to avoid malware. Helpers may cache sources insecurely or automate blindly. Building requires base-devel group. Not suitable for servers (build isolation issues).

POPULAR HELPERS

yay: pacman-compatible, Go-lang. Install: git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git; makepkg -si.
paru: Rust, edit-build menu. Similar install.
helaur: Haskell, lightweight.

MANUAL WORKFLOW

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/<pkg>.git
cd <pkg>
makepkg -si
Review PKGBUILD first!

AUR WEBSITE

Search/browse at aur.archlinux.org. Use asp (Arch Submission Program) for exports: asp export pkgname.

HISTORY

AUR created in 2007 by Tom Kraynok for community PKGBUILDs. Early helpers: yaourt, packer (2010s, now deprecated due to issues). Modern era: yay (2018, by Jguer), paru (2019, by Morganamilo), pikaur. aurutils (2017+) emphasizes manual control. Helpers evolved to handle dependency resolution post-cower deprecation.

aur