wajig

Update the list of available packages and versions

$ wajig update

$ wajig install [package]

$ wajig purge [package]

$ wajig daily-upgrade

$ wajig sizes

$ wajig versions

$ wajig toupgrade

$ wajig dependents [package]

wajig [global_options] command [package(s)|arguments]

This represents wajig's structure: it takes optional global flags, followed by a specific subcommand (like install, search, update), and then arguments relevant to that subcommand (e.g., package names).

install package(s)
    Installs one or more new packages.

remove package(s)
    Removes specified packages, leaving configuration files.

purge package(s)
    Removes specified packages along with their configuration files.

update
    Updates the list of available packages from repositories.

upgrade
    Upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions.

dist-upgrade
    Performs a distribution upgrade, intelligently handling dependencies.

search keyword(s)
    Searches for packages matching the given keywords.

show package(s)
    Displays detailed information about specified packages.

list [options]
    Lists installed, available, or upgradable packages.

clean
    Clears the local repository of retrieved package files.

auto-remove
    Removes packages that were automatically installed and are no longer needed.

fix-broken
    Attempts to correct a system with broken dependencies.

commands
    Displays a comprehensive list of all available wajig commands.

help [command]
    Provides help on wajig itself or a specific subcommand.

wajig is a versatile and user-friendly command-line tool designed to simplify package management on Debian-based Linux systems like Ubuntu. It acts as a unified front-end for various underlying package tools such as apt-get, apt-cache, dpkg, and aptitude, allowing users to perform common package operations with a single, consistent command syntax. This eliminates the need to remember which specific tool or option is required for a particular task, making it especially beneficial for new Linux users or those who prefer a streamlined workflow. wajig aims to provide an intuitive interface, consolidating actions like installing, removing, searching, updating, and cleaning packages under one roof, thereby enhancing usability and reducing complexity in system administration tasks.

While wajig simplifies package management, it introduces a slight overhead as it acts as a wrapper, potentially making operations marginally slower than directly using the underlying apt or dpkg commands. For advanced users requiring very specific options or fine-grained control, resorting to the native tools might still be necessary as wajig doesn't expose every single nuance of the wrapped commands. Additionally, wajig itself is not always pre-installed on all Debian-based systems and might need to be installed first.

wajig can be run in an interactive mode by simply typing wajig without any arguments. This provides a menu-driven interface, allowing users to select actions without memorizing commands, further enhancing its user-friendliness.

wajig intelligently determines when root privileges are required for a command and will automatically prompt for sudo if necessary, streamlining the execution of administrative tasks without requiring the user to manually prepend sudo to every command.

wajig was created by Andrew C. Durdin with the primary goal of making Debian/Ubuntu package management more accessible and less intimidating for new users. Its development focused on consolidating disparate commands into a single, logical interface, reducing the learning curve associated with managing packages via multiple tools like apt-get, dpkg, and aptitude. It has been a useful utility for many users seeking a consistent and simplified approach to system administration on Debian-derived distributions.

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