swupd

Update to the latest version

$ sudo swupd update

$ swupd check-update

$ swupd bundle-list

$ swupd search -b [package]

$ sudo swupd bundle-add [bundle]

$ sudo swupd bundle-remove [bundle]

$ sudo swupd verify

swupd [global options] command [command arguments]

Common commands:
swupd update
swupd bundle-add bundle_name [bundle_name ...]
swupd bundle-remove bundle_name [bundle_name ...]
swupd search keyword
swupd verify
swupd rollback version
swupd status

update
    Updates the system to the latest available version.

bundle-add
    Installs one or more specified software bundles.

bundle-remove
    Removes one or more specified software bundles from the system.

search
    Searches for available software bundles matching the keyword.

verify
    Verifies the integrity of all installed files against the system's manifest.

rollback
    Reverts the system to a previously saved version specified by its version ID.

repair
    Attempts to repair the system's state, often after a failed update or verification.

diagnose
    Provides diagnostic information about the swupd client and system update state.

status
    Displays the current swupd client status, OS version, and update information.

info
    Shows information about the swupd client itself, including version and capabilities.

-V, --verbose
    Enables verbose output, showing more details during command execution.

-F, --force
    Forces an action, bypassing some safety checks or prompts.

--fix
    Used with 'verify' to attempt to fix corrupted files or missing links.

--disable-rollback
    Prevents the creation of a rollback point during an update.

swupd is the primary command-line utility and daemon for managing software updates and bundles in the Clear Linux OS. Developed by Intel, it employs a unique, highly optimized update mechanism designed for speed, security, and reliability. Unlike traditional package managers, swupd operates on a "bundle" system, where collections of software are curated and updated atomically. This allows for incredibly fast delta updates, often downloading only the changes between versions, and ensures system consistency by applying updates as a single, all-or-nothing transaction. Key features include full system integrity verification, robust rollback capabilities to previous system versions, and a stateless design philosophy where user data is separated from the OS binaries. swupd is central to Clear Linux's mission of providing a secure, performant, and easily maintainable operating system. It simplifies system administration by providing a unified interface for installing software, updating the OS, and repairing corrupted installations.

swupd is exclusively designed for and operates only on the Clear Linux OS. It is not compatible with other Linux distributions. Its bundle-based approach differs significantly from traditional package managers (e.g., APT, DNF, YUM), meaning users from other distributions may need to adapt their workflow. Updates, while highly efficient, are typically whole-system updates rather than individual package updates, which can result in larger download sizes if the system is very outdated.

swupd manages software as curated collections called bundles, not individual packages. This simplifies dependency management, ensures software compatibility, and allows for efficient, atomic updates of entire functional units.

Updates performed by swupd are atomic, meaning they either fully succeed or completely revert, leaving the system in a consistent, working state. This prevents partial updates and system corruption, even in the event of power loss during an update.

A core feature of swupd is its ability to easily rollback the entire system to a previous, known-good version. This provides a crucial safety net, allowing users to revert changes if an update introduces unforeseen issues, ensuring system resilience.

Clear Linux OS, and by extension swupd, adheres to a stateless design philosophy. This separates the operating system binaries and configurations (managed by swupd) from user data and mutable configurations, making system updates safer and more predictable.

swupd was developed by Intel as an integral part of the Clear Linux OS from its inception. The design philosophy behind swupd was driven by the need for a highly performant, secure, and easily maintainable operating system, specifically for cloud and edge computing environments. Its development focused on achieving atomic updates, efficient delta downloads, and robust rollback capabilities to ensure system stability and rapid deployment of security patches and new features. It eschews traditional individual package management in favor of a curated "bundle" system to simplify dependency management and enhance system consistency, reflecting Clear Linux's "stateless" approach.

clr-debug-info(1) - A utility for gathering debugging information in Clear Linux OS., clr-installer(8) - The Clear Linux OS installer, which utilizes swupd principles., os-release(5) - Standard file describing the operating system.