pkgctl-db-update

Update the binary repository as final release step

$ pkgctl db update

pkgctl-db-update [options] [REPO]

-h, --help
    Show help message and exit

--url PATH
    Directory path containing package files (default: ./repo)

--sign-with KEYID
    GPG key ID or fingerprint for signing the database

--no-upload
    Generate db locally without uploading to remote server

pkgctl-db-update is a utility from the pkgctl suite in Artix Linux for maintaining Pacman package repositories. It scans a directory of package files (PKG.tar.zst), extracts metadata, generates or updates the repository database file (.db.tar.zst), signs it with a GPG key, and optionally uploads it to a remote server.

This command is essential for repository maintainers after adding, removing, or replacing packages in the pool directory. It supports multi-architecture repos and automates db regeneration to ensure pacman or libalpm clients see the latest package info.

By default, it uses the current directory's repo subfolder and the repo name from context or argument. It integrates with pkgctl's workflow for git-based package building and repo syncing, making it faster and more reliable than manual repo-add invocations.

Typical usage: Run in a repo's root after package changes to keep the db consistent and signed for client trust.

Requires root or repo maintainer privileges for signing/uploading.
GPG agent must be configured with private key.
Network access needed for uploads; fails silently if server unreachable.

Optional repo name (e.g., "extra"). Defaults to directory name or context.

Outputs .db.tar.zst (compressed with zstd); compatible with pacman 6.0+.

Introduced in Artix Linux's pkgctl v0.1 (2021) as part of modernizing repo tools. Evolved from pacman-contrib's repo-add scripts, with better git integration and automation for CI/CD workflows in Arch derivatives.

repo-add(1), repo-remove(1), pacman(8), makepkg(8)