tasksel

tasksel [options] install|remove task...

--new-install
    This option should be used when you are installing Debian for the first time.

--upgrade
    This option should be used when you are upgrading Debian from a previous version.

--remove-task
    Remove packages associated with the given task.

--list-tasks
    List available tasks.

--task-packages task...
    List packages associated with the given task.

--config-dir directory
    Use a custom configuration directory.

--no-new-install
    Don't run tasks marked as new-install.

--progress
    Display progress information.

--verbose
    Increase verbosity.

--version
    Show version information.

--help
    Display help message.

Tasksel is a Debian/Ubuntu tool that simplifies the installation of multiple related packages as a co-ordinated "task".
It presents a user-friendly interface for selecting tasks, such as a desktop environment (e.g., GNOME, KDE), a web server, or a mail server.
Instead of manually identifying and installing individual packages, Tasksel groups them logically.
This streamlining reduces the risk of missing dependencies or installing incompatible software, especially beneficial for new users or when deploying systems with specific roles.
Tasksel primarily reads available tasks and handles package dependencies with help of apt tools.
It leverages APT (Advanced Package Tool) to download and install the chosen packages, handling dependency resolution automatically.
The tasks themselves are defined in task description files, which list the packages associated with each task. These files are usually located in `/usr/share/tasksel/`.
Tasksel is frequently run during the initial Debian installation process but can also be invoked later to add or remove task-related packages.

Tasksel relies on the accuracy of task descriptions; outdated or incomplete task definitions can lead to installation problems. Also it may not be available in all Linux distributions. Sometimes if a large task is selected, the installation can take a significant amount of time.

Task descriptions are located in `/usr/share/tasksel/`. Each file defines a task and the packages associated with it. The files are plain text and easy to edit.

Common use cases include:
- Setting up a Desktop Environment (GNOME, XFCE, KDE).
- Installing a web server (LAMP stack).
- Configuring a mail server.
- Setting up a print server.
- Installing a basic server environment.

Tasksel was created to simplify the Debian installation process, especially for novice users. It aims to provide a more user-friendly and efficient way to install sets of related packages (tasks). It has been a standard component of Debian-based systems for a long time, constantly refined and adapted to the evolving landscape of available packages and system configurations.

apt(8), dpkg(1)