pacman-remove

[R]emove a package and its dependencies recur[s]ively

$ sudo pacman -Rs [package]

$ sudo pacman -Rsn [package]

$ sudo pacman -R --noconfirm [package]

$ sudo pacman -Rsn $(pacman -Qdtq)

$ sudo pacman -Rc [package]

$ pacman -Rp [package]

$ pacman -Rh

pacman -R [options] <package(s)>

-R, --remove
    This is the primary operation flag to remove packages.

-s, --recursive
    Removes the target package(s) and all of their dependencies that are not required by other installed packages.

-u, --unneeded
    Used with -s, it removes only unneeded dependencies. This is often used to clean up orphaned packages.

-c, --cascade
    Removes the target package(s) and all packages that depend on the target(s). Use with extreme caution, as this can lead to removal of many critical system components.

-n, --nosave
    Removes configuration files along with the package. By default, configuration files are saved.

-d, --nodeps
    Skips dependency checks. This means it will remove a package even if other packages depend on it. Use with extreme caution, as this can break system functionality.

-g, --groups
    Targets a package group for removal. For example, pacman -Rg <groupname>.

-k, --dbonly
    Removes the package only from the database, not the files from the filesystem. Use with extreme caution, as this leaves files on disk and can lead to inconsistencies.

--noconfirm
    Bypasses any confirmation prompts. Use with caution, especially for destructive operations.

--dryrun
    Simulates the removal operation without actually making any changes to the system. Useful for seeing what would be removed.

-r <path>, --root <path>
    Specifies an alternate root directory for operations.

-b <path>, --dbpath <path>
    Specifies an alternate database path.

-q, --quiet
    Suppresses most output during the operation.

-v, --verbose
    Shows more information during the operation.

The pacman -R (or --remove) command is used to uninstall packages from an Arch Linux system. When invoked, it removes all files associated with the specified package(s), except for configuration files by default. It also handles dependencies: by default, it will not remove packages that are depended upon by other installed packages. This prevents accidental system breakage by removing essential components.

However, pacman -R offers several powerful options to modify its behavior. For instance, the -s (--recursive) option allows for the removal of dependencies that are no longer required by any other installed package. The -n (--nosave) option ensures that configuration files are also removed, which can be useful for a clean uninstallation. Care must be taken when using options like -c (--cascade) or -d (--nodeps), as they can lead to an unstable system if not fully understood. Proper use of pacman -R is crucial for maintaining a clean and functional Arch Linux installation.

Dependency Hell: Incorrect use of pacman -R, especially with options like -d or -c, can lead to a broken system where essential packages are removed, making the system unstable or unbootable. Always understand the implications of removing packages and their dependencies.
Configuration Files: By default, configuration files for a package are not removed. This is to preserve user settings if the package is reinstalled. To remove them, use the -n (--nosave) option.
Orphaned Packages: While -Rs helps with unneeded dependencies, sometimes packages become "orphaned" (installed as a dependency but no longer required by any explicitly installed package). These won't be removed by a simple pacman -R. Manual cleanup or specific commands are needed.
File Conflicts: Removing a package using -k (--dbonly) leaves files on the filesystem. This can lead to conflicts if another package tries to install files with the same names.

To identify packages installed as dependencies but no longer required by any explicitly installed package, use: pacman -Qtdq
To remove them, combine this with pacman -Rns: sudo pacman -Rns $(pacman -Qtdq)

• Basic removal: sudo pacman -R packagename
• Remove package and its unneeded dependencies: sudo pacman -Rs packagename
• Remove package, its unneeded dependencies, and configuration files: sudo pacman -Rns packagename
• Remove package, its dependencies, and packages that depend on it (dangerous!): sudo pacman -Rsc packagename

Pacman, the Arch Linux package manager, was originally developed by Judd Vinet in 2002. From its inception, the design philosophy behind Pacman was to provide a simple, robust, and fast package management system for Arch Linux, which is known for its "KISS" (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle. The -R command for package removal has been a core component since early versions, reflecting the need for efficient package uninstallation while maintaining system integrity through dependency tracking.

Over the years, pacman -R has seen enhancements to its dependency resolution logic and the addition of various options, such as --recursive (-s) and --cascade (-c), to give users more granular control over package removal, accommodating different scenarios from simple uninstalls to comprehensive system cleanup. Its development continues to align with Arch Linux's rolling release model, ensuring that it remains a powerful and adaptable tool for managing the system's software.

pacman(8): The primary manual page for the Pacman package manager., pacman -S: Used to synchronize, install, or upgrade packages., pacman -Q: Used to query the package database., pacman -U: Used to install or upgrade a local package., pacman -D: Used for database operations (e.g., changing package install reason).