rpmbuild

Build RPM packages from spec files

TLDR

Build binary and source packages

$ rpmbuild -ba path/to/spec_file

Build binary package only

$ rpmbuild -bb path/to/spec_file

Build source package only

$ rpmbuild -bs path/to/spec_file

Build with custom macro definitions

$ rpmbuild -bb --define "version 1.0" path/to/spec_file

Prepare sources only (unpack and patch)

$ rpmbuild -bp path/to/spec_file

Build for specific architecture

$ rpmbuild -bb --target x86_64 path/to/spec_file

Rebuild from an existing source package

$ rpmbuild --rebuild path/to/package.src.rpm

SYNOPSIS

rpmbuild {-ba|-bb|-bp|-bc|-bi|-bl|-bs|-br|-bd} [options] SPECFILE

rpmbuild builds both binary and source software packages from spec files. A package consists of an archive of files and metadata used to install and erase the archive files. The tool processes spec files through multiple build stages.

PARAMETERS

-ba

Build binary and source packages

-bb

Build binary packages only

-bp

Unpack sources and apply patches only (%prep stage)

-bf

Configure the sources (%conf stage, equivalent to ./configure)

-bc

Compile sources (%build stage)

-bi

Install binaries into the build root and run %check

-bl

Verify that all files listed in %files exist

-bs

Build source package only

-br

Build source package with dynamic build dependency resolution

-bd

Check dynamic build dependencies and generate build requirements

-D, --define 'MACRO EXPR'

Define a macro with value

--target PLATFORM

Set build target architecture (e.g. `x86_64`, `aarch64`)

--buildroot DIRECTORY

Override the build root directory

--clean

Remove build tree after completion

--nobuild

Skip all build stages (spec file syntax check only)

--noprep

Skip the %prep stage

--noclean

Skip the %clean stage

--nocheck

Skip the %check stage

--nodeps

Do not verify build dependencies

--short-circuit

Skip directly to the specified stage (usable with -bc, -bi, -bb only)

--rebuild SOURCEPKG

Install the source package, build binary packages, then clean up

--recompile SOURCEPKG

Like --rebuild but stops after the install stage without creating binary packages

--rmsource

Remove source files after build

--rmspec

Remove spec file after build

--with OPTION

Enable a conditional build option defined in the spec file

--without OPTION

Disable a conditional build option defined in the spec file

CONFIGURATION

~/.rpmmacros

User-level macro definitions overriding system defaults, commonly used to set %_topdir for the build tree location.

/etc/rpm/macros

System-wide macro overrides for all users on the machine.

/usr/lib/rpm/macros

Default RPM macro definitions shipped with the rpm package, defining build paths, compiler flags, and platform defaults.

CAVEATS

The spec file defines how to build a package. Macros are defined in /usr/lib/rpm/macros, /etc/rpm/macros, and ~/.rpmmacros. Build dependencies must be installed before building unless --nodeps is used.

HISTORY

rpmbuild is part of the RPM (RPM Package Manager) system, originally developed by Red Hat for managing software packages on Linux systems.