debtap

Update debtap database (before the first run)

$ sudo debtap [[-u|--update]]

$ debtap [path/to/package.deb]

$ debtap [[-q|--quiet]] [path/to/package.deb]

$ debtap [[-p|--pkgbuild]] [path/to/package.deb]

debtap [-u|-q|-v|-d|-h|-V|-I|-s|-p] <package.deb>

-u, --update
    Update package database from Arch/Debian repos.


-q, --quiet
    Suppress non-essential output.


-v, --verbose
    Enable detailed output.


-d, --debug
    Full debug mode for troubleshooting.


-h, --help
    Display usage help.


-V, --version
    Show debtap version.


-I, --noindent
    Output JSON without indentation.


-s, --system
    Install package system-wide (requires sudo).


-p, --pkgbuild
    Generate PKGBUILD only, no build.

debtap is a Linux utility primarily for Arch Linux and derivatives, converting Debian/Ubuntu (.deb) packages into native Arch Pacman format (.pkg.tar.zst). It extracts package contents, queries a local database for dependency mapping between Debian and Arch repositories, generates a PKGBUILD, and builds the package using makepkg.

This bridges ecosystems when software lacks Arch ports or AUR equivalents, enabling quick installs via pacman -U. First-time users must update the database with debtap -u, downloading Arch/Debian package lists. It handles binaries, libraries, and configs but may require manual tweaks for systemd services, 32-bit pkgs, or version mismatches.

Ideal for niche tools or emergencies, but prefer native packages for stability. Supports verbose/debug modes for troubleshooting. Generated packages install locally without repo integration.

Not all .deb pkgs convert perfectly due to distro differences (e.g., glibc, systemd); verify deps manually; use native AUR/repos first; database must be updated regularly.

Install from AUR; requires base-devel; run debtap -u first.

debtap -u
debtap foo_1.2-3_amd64.deb
pacman -U foo-1.2-3-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst

Developed by a1wong around 2016 for Arch users; hosted on AUR (debtap); evolved with Arch packaging changes; actively maintained for modern releases.

pacman(8), makepkg(8), pamac(8)