tlmgr-option

List all TeX Live settings

$ tlmgr option showall

$ tlmgr option show

$ tlmgr option showall --json

$ tlmgr option [setting]

$ tlmgr option [setting] [value]

$ tlmgr option [repository] [https://mirror.ctan.org/systems/texlive/tlnet]

tlmgr option [OPTION]... [NAME [VALUE]]
tlmgr option [OPTION]... --list
tlmgr option [OPTION]... --json
Note: tlmgr is the main command, and option is its subcommand.

NAME
    The name of the configuration option to query or set.

VALUE
    The new value to set for the specified option NAME. If VALUE is omitted when NAME is provided, the current value of NAME is displayed.

--list
    Displays a list of all available configuration options along with their current values and a brief description.

--json
    Outputs the list of options and their values in JSON format, useful for scripting.

--show-help, -h
    Displays a help message with usage information for the option subcommand.

--config-path
    Specifies an alternative path to the configuration file (advanced usage).

--dry-run
    Shows what would be done without actually making any changes.

--force
    Forces the operation, overriding some checks. (Use with caution).

--logfile FILE
    Specifies a file to write log messages to.

--repository URL
    Specifies the repository to use for this operation. This overrides the default or currently configured repository.

--debug LEVEL
    Sets the debugging level for more verbose output.

--arc-style STYLE
    Sets the style for archive backups, e.g., 'none', 'tlpdb', 'user'.

tlmgr option is a powerful subcommand of the TeX Live Manager (tlmgr) used to inspect, set, or delete persistent configuration options for your TeX Live installation. These options control various aspects of how tlmgr operates, including the default package repository, whether to create backups during updates, the directory for backups, and other system-wide or user-specific settings. It allows users to customize TeX Live's behavior without editing configuration files directly, ensuring proper interaction with the tlmgr system. Options set via tlmgr option are stored persistently and affect all subsequent tlmgr commands. Understanding and utilizing these options is crucial for effective management and customization of a TeX Live environment.

Persistent Changes: Options set using tlmgr option are persistent and will affect all future tlmgr operations. Be cautious when changing critical options like repository paths.
Permissions: For system-wide TeX Live installations, modifying options often requires administrative privileges (e.g., sudo). If you lack the necessary permissions, the command will fail.
Validation: tlmgr generally performs some validation on option values, but providing invalid or nonsensical values can lead to unexpected behavior or breakage of your TeX Live installation.
Interference: Be aware that certain options might interact with environment variables or other configuration files, potentially leading to conflicts if not managed carefully.
Command Misnomer: The user specified 'tlmgr-option' which is not a standalone command. This analysis addresses the subcommand usage of tlmgr option.

repository: Sets the URL of the primary TeX Live package repository. This is crucial for updates and installations.
autobackup: Enables or disables automatic backups of packages before updates. Highly recommended for safety.
backupdir: Specifies the directory where backup packages are stored.
paper: Sets the default paper size (e.g., a4, letter) for dvips, dvipdfm, and other tools.
scheme: Controls the installed TeX Live scheme (e.g., full, basic). (Though changing scheme is typically done during initial install or via tlmgr install/remove).

By default, tlmgr option changes apply to the TeX Live installation as a whole (system-wide). However, tlmgr also supports user-specific configuration files, allowing individual users to override system settings without requiring root privileges. This typically involves setting TLMGR_OPTIONS environment variable or using tlmgr --usermode.

The tlmgr (TeX Live Manager) tool was introduced in TeX Live 2008, replacing earlier, less integrated update mechanisms like teTeX's tla and updmap. The option subcommand has been a fundamental part of tlmgr since its inception, providing a standardized and robust way to manage TeX Live's internal configuration without manual file editing. Its development reflects the ongoing effort to make TeX Live more user-friendly and maintainable, centralizing configuration management within the tlmgr framework.

tlmgr(1), texdoc(1), tex(1)