tlmgr-repository

List all configured repositories and their tags (if set)

$ tlmgr repository list

$ tlmgr repository list [path|url|tag]

$ sudo tlmgr repository add [path|url] [tag]

$ sudo tlmgr repository remove [path|url|tag]

$ sudo tlmgr repository set [path|url|tag]#[tag] [path|url|tag]#[tag] [...]

$ tlmgr repository status

tlmgr [options] command [args]
Specifically, repository-related options often used with commands like update, install, option:
tlmgr --repository URL|PATH command [args]
tlmgr --location URL|PATH command [args]
tlmgr option repository [URL|PATH]

--repository URL|PATH
    Specifies the TeX Live repository to use for the current command execution. Can be a URL (e.g., http://mirror.ctan.org/systems/texlive/tlnet) or a local path to a TeX Live installation (e.g., /path/to/my/texlive/install).

--location URL|PATH
    An alias for the --repository option, serving the same purpose of specifying the package source.

option repository [URL|PATH]
    When used with tlmgr option, this command allows you to query the currently configured default repository or set a new persistent default repository. If URL|PATH is omitted, it displays the current setting. This setting persists across tlmgr invocations unless overridden by --repository or --location.

tlmgr-repository is not a direct command, but rather a conceptual topic within the tlmgr (TeX Live Manager) utility, which is used to administer a TeX Live installation. It refers to the mechanism by which tlmgr locates, accesses, and manages the repositories from which TeX Live packages are downloaded and updated. TeX Live installations can be configured to use specific network repositories (mirrors) or local repositories (e.g., from an ISO image or a local directory). Understanding tlmgr-repository is crucial for users who need to switch update sources, install packages from non-standard locations, or manage offline TeX Live installations. tlmgr offers various options to specify or change the repository location, such as --repository or --location, allowing users to control where their TeX Live packages originate. This ensures flexibility for different network environments and update strategies. Furthermore, tlmgr maintains a persistent default repository setting, which can be overridden for individual commands, providing fine-grained control over package sources.

tlmgr-repository itself is not an executable command; it describes the mechanism and options within tlmgr for managing package sources.
When specifying a network URL, ensure proper internet connectivity and no firewall/proxy issues are blocking access to the repository.
Local repositories, often used for offline installations, must be manually created and kept synchronized with official CTAN mirrors if updates are desired.
Using the --repository or --location options on the command line overrides any persistently configured default repository for that specific tlmgr command execution.

By default, tlmgr attempts to find a suitable network repository by checking a predefined list of CTAN mirrors or a configured URL. This default can be permanently changed using tlmgr option repository URL|PATH, making future tlmgr operations default to the specified source.

For installations without constant internet access, TeX Live allows creation of local repositories from the official TeX Live ISO image or by mirroring the CTAN network repository using tools like rsync. These local repositories can then be specified using the --repository or --location options for offline updates and installations, providing a portable and self-contained TeX Live environment.

The concept of a central repository for TeX Live packages has been fundamental since the inception of TeX Live itself, evolving with the distribution. The tlmgr utility, introduced around TeX Live 2008, centralized the management of these repositories, replacing earlier, more manual methods. Its design aimed to simplify package installation and updates by abstracting the repository location and providing robust options for specifying mirror sites or local sources. The --repository and option repository functionalities have been core features of tlmgr since its early versions, reflecting the need for flexible source management in diverse user environments.

tlmgr(1), rsync(1)