slim

Start Slim on interactive mode

$ slim

$ slim xray --target [image:tag]

$ slim lint --target [path/to/Dockerfile]

$ slim build [image:tag]

$ slim [subcommand] --help

slim [options] [package...]

-i, --install
    Install one or more packages.

-u, --update
    Update installed packages to their latest versions.

-r, --remove
    Remove one or more packages.

-s, --search
    Search for packages matching a pattern.

-p, --purge
    Remove packages and their configuration files.

-l, --list
    List all installed packages.

-h, --help
    Display help information.

The slim command is a high-level package management tool for Debian-based Linux distributions. It provides a user-friendly interface for installing, updating, removing, and querying software packages. slim builds upon the underlying dpkg utility, offering features like dependency resolution and repository management. This makes it easier for users to manage their system's software without needing to directly interact with lower-level package commands. slim can be used to download packages from configured repositories, install them locally, and ensure that all necessary dependencies are met. It also allows for the removal of packages and their associated configuration files, and provides ways to search for available packages and check the status of installed ones. Its simplicity and robustness have made it a cornerstone of Debian-like system administration.

slim is a front-end and relies on the underlying dpkg system. Issues with dpkg can affect slim's functionality. Permissions are crucial; most operations require root privileges.

slim manages packages from sources defined in /etc/apt/sources.list and files in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/. These repositories contain the package archives and metadata slim uses.

A key feature of slim is its ability to automatically resolve and install package dependencies. When you install a package, slim will check if it requires other packages and install them as well.

slim evolved as a simpler, more intuitive interface to the powerful but sometimes complex dpkg package manager. Its development focused on abstracting away the intricacies of dependency handling and repository configuration, making package management accessible to a wider audience of users and administrators. It has been a standard tool in Debian-based systems for many years, contributing to their widespread adoption and ease of use.

dpkg(1), apt(8), apt-get(8)