aur-sync

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

$ aur sync [package1 package2 ...]

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

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

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

$ aur sync [[-u|--upgrades]] --ignore [package1,package2,...]

aur sync [-cCdhkmnSuv] [--chroot] [--dir] [--help] [--keep-going] [--missing] [--new] [--srcdir] [--update] [--repo] <pkgname>...

-c, --chroot
    Use chroot directory $CHROOT_DIR (default: /var/lib/aurutils/chroot) instead of clean build dir. Requires makepkg-chroot(1).

-C, --config
    Use alternative config file.

-d, --dir
    Print clone directory only; do not clone or update.

-h, --help
    Display help and exit.

-k, --keep-going
    Continue processing on non-zero exit status.

-m, --missing
    Clone only missing dependencies (requires -S or dependency mode).

-n, --new
    Clone only new packages not already present.

-S, --srcdir
    Clone source directory only (PKGBUILD + sources).

-u, --update
    Update existing clone to latest commit.

--repo
    Print AUR repository name instead of path.

aur sync is a command from the aurutils suite, a collection of bash scripts designed to streamline interaction with the Arch User Repository (AUR). It clones the git repository of specified AUR packages (or their dependencies) into a local directory, typically $HOME/aur or the AUR_CLONE_DIR environment variable.

This prepares PKGBUILDs and sources for manual building with makepkg(8), avoiding direct git clones. It supports dependency resolution, updates to existing clones, and options for chroot builds or source-only fetching. Ideal for reproducible AUR package management without full AUR helpers like yay or paru.

Usage involves specifying package names; it handles recursive dependencies if needed. Outputs the package directory path for further actions like editing PKGBUILD or running makepkg.

Requires git(1) and network access. Sets AUR_CLONE_DIR if unset. Not for binary installs; pair with makepkg(8). Dependency resolution may clone many packages.

AUR_CLONE_DIR: Clone base dir (default: $HOME/aur).
CHROOT_DIR: Chroot path (default: /var/lib/aurutils/chroot).

0 on success; 1 for missing packages or git errors; 2 for invalid args.

Part of aurutils by Alad Wenter, first released in 2017. Evolved for safe, scriptable AUR handling amid helper security concerns; latest versions improve chroot and dependency features.

makepkg(8), git-clone(1), pacman(8), asp(1)