debtap

Update debtap database (before the first run)

$ sudo debtap --update

$ debtap [path/to/package.deb]

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

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

debtap [OPTIONS]
debtap [-s|-u|-U]

-s
    Update debtap's internal database mapping Debian packages to Arch packages.

-u
    Update debtap itself and its internal database.

-U
    Update debtap itself only (without updating the database).

-q
    Enable quiet mode, suppressing most output during conversion.

-v
    Enable verbose mode, providing more detailed output during conversion.

-p
    Specify a custom PKGBUILD file to use instead of the auto-generated one.

-P
    Edit the auto-generated PKGBUILD file before the package building process begins.

-z
    Specify a compression algorithm (e.g., xz, zstd, gz) for the resulting Arch package.

-h, --help
    Display the help message and exit.

--version
    Display the version information and exit.

--fix
    Attempt to fix broken database entries.

debtap is a command-line utility designed to convert a Debian/Ubuntu .deb package into an Arch Linux package (typically .pkg.tar.xz or .pkg.tar.zst). It automates the process of extracting the contents of the .deb file, attempting to resolve dependencies by mapping Debian package names to Arch equivalents, and then generating a PKGBUILD script.

This tool is invaluable for Arch Linux users who need to install software only available as .deb packages, effectively bridging the gap between Debian-based and Arch-based packaging systems. While highly useful, it is not a foolproof solution and often requires manual intervention, especially for complex or poorly structured .deb packages, or when dependencies are not easily resolvable between the two ecosystems. It also includes functionalities to update its internal database of Debian-Arch package name mappings.

• Dependency Resolution: While debtap attempts to map Debian dependencies to their Arch Linux equivalents, this process is not always perfect. Some dependencies might not have direct Arch counterparts or may have different naming conventions, often requiring manual intervention.
• Architecture Compatibility: Converting packages between different architectures (e.g., i386 to x86_64) might lead to issues or outright failure, especially for closed-source binaries.
• Not a Replacement for AUR: debtap should be used as a last resort. If a package is available in the Arch User Repository (AUR) or official repositories, using those sources is always preferred as they are specifically tailored for Arch Linux and maintain proper dependency management.
• Security Risks: Installing packages from untrusted .deb sources after conversion can pose security risks, as the package content is not verified by official Arch channels.
• Complex Packages: Packages with complex pre/post-install scripts, systemd units, or non-standard file layouts may not convert cleanly and often require significant manual PKGBUILD editing.

debtap primarily functions by extracting the contents of the .deb archive, identifying its declared dependencies, and then dynamically generating a PKGBUILD script. It attempts to translate Debian package names to Arch Linux package names using its internal database of mappings. Once the PKGBUILD is created (and optionally edited by the user), it leverages Arch's native makepkg utility to build the final Arch package (.pkg.tar.xz or similar), which can then be installed using pacman -U.

On Arch Linux systems, debtap is typically installed via the Arch User Repository (AUR). Users can employ an AUR helper like yay or paru to simplify the installation process. For example: yay -S debtap or paru -S debtap. This method ensures that debtap and its dependencies are correctly integrated with the Arch ecosystem.

debtap is a community-developed tool, not an official part of either Debian or Arch Linux distributions. It emerged from the practical need for Arch Linux users to install software distributed primarily in the .deb format, especially when no Arch-specific package or AUR entry exists. Its development has focused on automating the often tedious manual process of extracting .deb contents and creating a PKGBUILD file, thereby making cross-distribution package usage more accessible for users who are not packaging experts. Its ongoing maintenance relies on community contributions to update its internal database and improve conversion logic for new Debian package formats and dependencies.

dpkg(1), apt(8), pacman(8), makepkg(8)