gbp

Convert an existing Debian package to gbp

$ gbp import-dsc [path/to/package.dsc]

$ gbp buildpackage -jauto -us -uc

$ DIST=bullseye ARCH=amd64 gbp buildpackage -jauto -us -uc --git-builder=git-pbuilder

$ gbp buildpackage -jauto -us -uc --changes-options=-S

$ gbp import-orig --pristine-tar [path/to/package.tar.gz]

gbp command [options]

gbp (git-buildpackage) integrates Debian package building with Git version control. It maintains separate Git branches for upstream source, Debian packaging, and optionally pristine tarballs, providing a clean workflow for package maintenance.
The typical workflow involves importing upstream releases with gbp import-orig, making packaging changes on the debian branch, and building with gbp buildpackage. The tool handles merging upstream changes and generating proper Debian source packages.
gbp supports building in clean environments via pbuilder, sbuild, or cowbuilder for reproducible builds.

buildpackage

Build a Debian package from a Git repository

Import an existing Debian source package into Git

Import a new upstream tarball

Clone a Git repository and set up gbp tracking branches

Update a repository from remote

Generate debian/changelog entries from Git commits

Manage quilt patches as Git topic branches

Use pristine-tar to store/retrieve upstream tarballs

Automatic parallel build jobs

Do not sign source package

Do not sign changes file

debian/gbp.conf

Project-specific settings for branch names, build options, and pristine-tar configuration.

User-level defaults for gbp behavior across all projects.

Requires understanding of both Git branching and Debian packaging. Branch naming conventions (upstream, debian, pristine-tar) must be followed. Complex merge scenarios may require manual intervention.

git-buildpackage was created by Guido Gunther and first released around 2007. It became a standard tool for Debian developers who wanted to combine the benefits of Git's distributed version control with Debian's packaging system.

debuild(1), dpkg-buildpackage(1), pbuilder(8), git(1)