pacstall

package manager for Ubuntu and Debian-based distributions that brings AUR-like

TLDR

Search the package database for a package

$ pacstall -S [query]

Install a package

$ pacstall -I [package]

Remove a package

$ pacstall -R [package]

Add a repository to the database

$ pacstall -A [remote_repository_location]

Update pacstall's scripts

$ pacstall -U

Upgrade all packages

$ pacstall -Up

Display information about a package

$ pacstall -Ci [package]

List all installed packages

$ pacstall -L

SYNOPSIS

pacstall [operation] [options] [package...]

pacstall is a package manager for Ubuntu and Debian-based distributions that brings AUR-like functionality by allowing users to install packages from community-maintained build scripts. It compiles packages from source using pacscripts (similar to Arch's PKGBUILDs).
The tool maintains its own repositories of build scripts, separate from the system's apt repositories. Users can add custom repositories hosted on GitHub or GitLab, enabling community-driven package distribution outside official channels.

PARAMETERS

-S, --search query

Search for packages matching query

-I, --install package

Install specified package

-R, --remove package

Remove specified package

-A, --add-repo url

Add a repository (GitHub/GitLab supported)

-U, --update

Update pacstall scripts

-Up, --upgrade

Upgrade all installed packages

-Ci, --cache-info package

Display package information from cache

-L, --list

List all installed packages

-D, --download package

Download package without installing

-Qa, --query-all

List all available packages

-V, --version

Display version information

CAVEATS

Packages are built from source, which can be time-consuming. Requires build dependencies to be installed. Not officially supported by Ubuntu/Debian; packages may conflict with system packages. Always review pacscripts before installation.

HISTORY

Created to bring the AUR (Arch User Repository) experience to Ubuntu users. Developed as an alternative to PPAs and Snaps for users who prefer building packages from source with community-maintained scripts. The project aims to provide a simple way to install software not available in official repositories.