checkupdates-aur

List pending updates for AUR packages

$ checkupdates-aur

$ CHECKUPDATES_DEBUG=1 checkupdates-aur

$ checkupdates-aur --help

checkupdates-aur [options]

-a, --all
    Includes official repository packages in the update list alongside AUR packages.

-r, --repo-only
    Alias for --all; also includes official repository packages.

-q, --quiet
    Suppresses informational output, showing only the list of outdated packages.

-v, --verbose
    Provides more detailed output regarding the update check process.

checkupdates-aur is a utility designed for Arch Linux users to identify pending updates for packages installed from the Arch User Repository (AUR). Unlike checkupdates, which exclusively checks official repository packages, checkupdates-aur focuses on the user-maintained packages from the AUR.

This command is invaluable for users who want to review potential updates before initiating a full system upgrade via pacman -Syu. It provides a list of outdated AUR packages, allowing users to assess compatibility, review PKGBUILD changes, or anticipate any manual intervention that might be required during the update process. It does not perform the actual update; it merely lists them, making it a crucial step in a proactive system maintenance workflow.

Often bundled with AUR helper tools like aurutils, it extends the system's update awareness beyond the official repositories, ensuring a comprehensive view of all potentially outdated software on an Arch system.

checkupdates-aur typically relies on an installed AUR helper, such as aurutils, to function correctly. It serves solely as an informational tool and does not perform any package upgrades. Users must manually initiate updates, often via their chosen AUR helper (e.g., aur sync or yay -Syu) after reviewing the output. Updates to AUR packages may sometimes require manual intervention, such as resolving .pacnew files or recompiling against new dependencies.

It is common practice for Arch Linux users to run checkupdates-aur (often combined with checkupdates) before executing a full system upgrade (pacman -Syu). This allows users to review all pending updates, identify any potential conflicts or manual interventions required for AUR packages, and prepare accordingly, leading to a smoother and more controlled upgrade experience.

checkupdates-aur emerged from the Arch Linux community's need for a unified way to track updates for both official repository packages and those from the Arch User Repository (AUR). While checkupdates handled official repos, the AUR's growing prominence necessitated a complementary tool. It is not part of the official pacman suite but developed by community members and integrated into various AUR helper projects, notably aurutils, to provide a comprehensive update overview without immediate installation.

pacman(8), checkupdates(8), makepkg(8), aurutils(1)