debconf-apt-progress

debconf-apt-progress [options]
Typically: apt-get command args | debconf-apt-progress

--autoproc
    Automatically process subprocesses like dpkg (default).

--no-autoproc
    Disable automatic handling of subprocess progress.

--percent
    Show percentage progress alongside bars (default).

--no-percent
    Suppress percentage display.

--progress-fd FD
    Communicate with Debconf on file descriptor FD (default: 18).

debconf-apt-progress is a filter utility in the Debian ecosystem that intercepts output from APT tools like apt-get or aptitude, parsing progress information and displaying it via Debconf's progress bar protocol. It transforms verbose installation logs into user-friendly progress indicators, showing titles, percentages, and status updates.

Primarily used in text-mode environments like the Debian Installer (d-i), it reads stdin for special progress lines (e.g., pmprogress TITLE N OF M) and communicates with Debconf over a file descriptor. By default, it auto-handles subprocesses such as dpkg, ensuring seamless progress across package configuration and unpacking.

This enhances non-graphical installs, preventing output floods while keeping users informed. It's invoked by piping APT commands through it, often in frontend scripts.

Requires a running Debconf instance; ineffective in standard terminals without it. Designed for installers, not general desktop use. May interfere with interactive APT prompts.

apt-get install some-package | debconf-apt-progress
Pipes package install output to show progress bar in Debconf.

Expects lines like pmprogress Installing foo 5 100 or pmconffinish from APT subprocesses.

Introduced in early 2000s as part of debconf package for Debian Installer. Evolved to support apt-pkg formats; maintained in Debian since ~2002 for text-mode progress reporting.

apt-get(8), aptitude(8), debconf(7), dpkg(1)